KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 — The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) issues business licences strictly based on submitted applications, but some premises have been found to conduct activities beyond their approved scope, including immoral activities, once their licences are granted.
“For example, if they apply for a licence to open a spa, we approve it, but activities carried out after that are beyond our control.
“That is why, at times, we discover activities that are not in line with what they applied for,” said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
She was responding to Tampin MP Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa's supplementary query on DBKL’s role in monitoring and controlling premises such as spas to prevent misuse, including for illicit activities.
Previously, it was reported that 208 individuals, including 17 civil servants, were arrested by the police in a raid on a health club in Chow Kit that was allegedly used as a venue for unnatural sexual activities.
Dr Zaliha added that DBKL has implemented several measures to address the issue, including periodic monitoring of licensed premises to ensure compliance with licence conditions.
An integrated enforcement operation known as KL Strike Force has also been activated, involving cooperation with various agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
Meanwhile, she said rapid development and urbanisation in the Federal Territories will create increasingly challenging social competition, particularly in securing housing, job opportunities, access to public facilities and quality urban spaces.
The situation also has the potential to widen social gaps, create income clustering by locality and pressure existing communities as rental and daily transport costs rise.
As such, the government is implementing the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 (KLSP 2040) and the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (KLLP 2040) to address these challenges.
Dr Zaliha was responding to Padang Serai MP Datuk Azman Nasrudin's original query on the social impacts of rapid development and urbanisation in the Federal Territories on local communities, particularly regarding social competition and the rising cost of living.
