Kuala Lumpur: The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will now oversee the entire process of licence applications and maintenance for Ramadan bazaars in the capital, starting this year. This initiative aims to ensure more reasonable stall rental fees and improved management of the bazaars, as announced by Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Zaliha explained that the new approach addresses past complaints regarding business application fees. "In this new approach, we are also offering reasonable rental fees. The rental fee for a (Ramadan) bazaar (stall) is only RM500.about RM16 per day. There were complaints that some traders spent up to RM20,000 but failed to get a stall," she said during her appearance on Bernama TV's Ruang Bicara programme.

Dr Zaliha further stated that DBKL will collaborate with corporate bodies to ensure a more organised operation of Ramadan bazaars. This collaboration aims to streamline processes and make bazaars more accessible to traders and patrons alike.

In addition to the new licensing approach, Dr Zaliha highlighted the positive reception of the smart city initiative under the CHASE (Clean, Healthy, Advanced, Safe, and Eco-Friendly) framework. This initiative has been well-received by residents in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan Federal Territories. "For example, when we implement the community garden initiative, we see residents coming forward, wanting us to implement the initiative in their areas as well," she noted.

CHASE City represents the vision to transform the three Federal Territories into clean, healthy, advanced, safe, and eco-friendly cities, underscoring the government's commitment to sustainable urban development.