by BERNAMA/ graphic by MZUKRI

KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) allocated RM2.97 billion for its 2020 budget for the implementation of various initiatives for the wellbeing and prosperity of the city dwellers.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan (picture; left) said through the budget — themed “Cheerful City and Shared Prosperity” — RM1.82 billion or 61.5% has been set aside for operating expenditure and RM1.15 billion, or 38.5%, for development.

He said the development allocation is divided into financing amounting to RM696.5 million (60.8%) and financing from the government and others at RM449 million (39.2%).

“DBKL allocated RM661 million to cover 73 road, hill slope and drainage projects, largely to address the flash flood problem around the capital.

“To improve the infrastructure facilities throughout the city, DBKL will also work with the Malaysian Rubber Board on road resurfacing works using rubberised bitumen,” he said when tabling the DBKL Budget 2020 in Kuala Lumpur (KL) yesterday.

Nor Hisham said RM20 million would be allocated for management of the Go KL City Bus, a free bus service, next year, with plans to add two more “first-mile” service routes around KL.

“A sum of RM26.5 million is allocated for the integrated transport information system equipment rental, which involves the use of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) and VMS (video management software) of which, 309 and 691 CCTVs will be for the police and traffic monitoring respectively.

“DBKL also made Jalan Kinabalu heading towards Cheras a free-flow route without traffic lights at the Jalan Kinabalu/Jalan Maharajalela intersection beginning Dec 14,” he added.

He said DBKL has also allocated RM10 million to upgrade the installation of LED (light emitting diode) lighting at five public parks, namely Taman Tasik Datuk Keramat, Taman Dusun Bandar, Taman Kejiranan Ayer Panas, Taman Bukit Jalil and Taman Alam Damai.

“A total of 45,100 units of high-pressure sodium-vapour-type LEDs have been installed and we will continue to replace any remaining street lamps by 2020.

“In addition, RM7.5 million will be used to improve and upgrade heritage buildings such as Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Panggung Bandaraya DBKL,” he said.

According to Nor Hisham, four network libraries will be completed next year — namely KL@Pudu Ulu; KL@Masjid Al-Rahimah, Kg Pandan; KL@PPR Sri Semarak; and KL@PPR Sri Kelantan — in conjunction with the KL World Book Capital 2020.

“To meet the needs of the city dwellers, RM65 million has been allocated for the council’s public housing project in Kampung Sungai Udang, Klang, which is expected to be completed by the end of next year,” he said.

Nor Hisham said the Pasar Raja Bot (in Chow Kit) redevelopment project, with the total cost of RM142.8 million, is expected to be fully completed by 2022, while another RM28 million will be allocated for the Pasar Harian Selayang, which could accommodate 754 business lots when completed by mid-2020.