Essayer OR - Gratuit
Many KL Eateries Flouting Outdoor-Dining Rules
The Straits Times
|April 08, 2025
Besides posing hazards, the illegal set-ups are costing the city millions in lost revenue
-
KUALA LUMPUR - The bustling food scene of Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur owes much of its charm to al fresco dining, but unauthorised dining in public spaces is costing Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) millions of ringgit in lost revenue.
What began as a wish to dine in the open air has turned into chaos, with thousands of stalls and restaurants spilling onto pavements, parking bays and roads - sidestepping permit fees that could have been reinvested for public infrastructure.
Despite the charm, these set-ups often operate without approval, contributing to congestion, posing safety risks and blurring the lines between public and private spaces.
With enforcement trailing far behind, illegal operations are flourishing, turning shared city spaces into private cash cows.
Under DBKL guidelines, restaurant and cafe operators must pay RM20 (S$6) to RM50 per table a month and provide a security deposit of up to RM10,000, depending on the number of tables.
But with widespread disregard for these rules, DBKL continues to lose millions in uncollected fees and deposits each year.
Only licensed businesses with approved permits can place tables and chairs in designated areas — and even then, there are clear restrictions on size, placement and operating hours.
You can spot an illegal set-up if a restaurant places tables on parking bays, obstructs walkways or roads while lacking the required DBKL permit sticker, or if a roadside stall sets up tables and chairs.
Cette histoire est tirée de l'édition April 08, 2025 de The Straits Times.
Abonnez-vous à Magzter GOLD pour accéder à des milliers d'histoires premium sélectionnées et à plus de 9 000 magazines et journaux.
Déjà abonné ? Se connecter
PLUS D'HISTOIRES DE The Straits Times
The Straits Times
GUARDIOLA NOT A FAN OF SET PIECES
City boss adapts to them, but says it would be boring if all teams played the same way
3 mins
March 04, 2026
The Straits Times
Appeals court denies Trump bid to delay tariff refund lawsuits
A US federal appeals court on March 2 rejected President Donald Trump’s push to delay legal proceedings linked to tariff refunds, allowing the battle to proceed in a lower court.
2 mins
March 04, 2026
The Straits Times
Champs China made to labour by Bangladesh
China kicked off their Women’s Asian Cup title defence with a battling 2-0 win over resilient tournament debutantes Bangladesh in Group B on March 3, courtesy of goals from Wang Shuang and Zhang Rui.
2 mins
March 04, 2026
The Straits Times
NEW NAMES AND OLD RIVALRIES ON TRACK
Get up to speed on the upcoming Fl season with five things to look out for this weekend
3 mins
March 04, 2026
The Straits Times
'Pray we make it through the night': Iran's capital under siege
Rows of apartment buildings near collapse.
4 mins
March 04, 2026
The Straits Times
K-pop label Ador holding Singapore audition for new boy band
Do you have what it takes to be a K-pop idol?
1 min
March 04, 2026
The Straits Times
Some worry about topical steroid withdrawal, but doctors say this is rare under medical supervision
Steroid-containing creams are commonly prescribed by doctors to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
6 mins
March 04, 2026
The Straits Times
China's overstretched healthcare system looks to AI boom
Digital doubles of medical experts answer questions but cannot prescribe medication
3 mins
March 04, 2026
The Straits Times
Free access to premium AI tools with selected SkillsFuture courses
Singaporeans who take up selected SkillsFuture artificial intelligence courses will receive six months of free access to premium AI tools from the second half of 2026.
1 mins
March 04, 2026
The Straits Times
Clinton says Trump told him he had 'some great times' with Epstein
Former US president Bill Clinton told lawmakers that President Donald Trump told him he had “some great times” with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before their relationship soured, according to a video released on March 2.
2 mins
March 04, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size
