KUALA LUMPUR — The sudden departure of Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Kuala Lumpur’s first female mayor, after just 16 months in office has reignited demands for the Malaysian capital’s two million residents to elect their own mayor rather than have one appointed by the federal government.
Maimunah, praised for her inclusive urban planning and efforts to improve public transport, left Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) quietly in November 2025. Her removal, perceived as abrupt and lacking transparency, raised concerns about the city’s governance and the vulnerability of appointed leaders without popular mandates.
Under her brief leadership, over 90% of public complaints were resolved, and KL achieved a RM27.6 million fiscal surplus in 2024, the city’s first surplus in over a decade. The mayor’s departure has energized KL’s Members of Parliament, who argue that the city’s administration needs greater democratic legitimacy. Since 1960, KL residents have no local vote for their mayor or council, with municipal power resting in the hands of the Federal Territories Ministry under the prime minister’s department.
Urban advocates and researchers warn that the lack of local representation has led to development priorities favoring short-term rental properties and tourism over resident needs, transforming KL into a city increasingly shaped by transient communities and commercial interests rather than its citizens. Activists stress that true livability depends on restoring residents’ rights to participate in shaping their city, emphasizing walkability, safety, and preserving community heritage rather than just building more skyscrapers.
As KL prepares for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, the debate over local governance and representation spotlights the city’s struggle to balance rapid urban growth with the needs of its longtime residents.