“Kuala Lumpur intensifies beautification, infrastructure upgrades and smart surveillance ahead of ASEAN 2025 Summit to position itself as a progressive, clean and secure global city.“
Kuala Lumpur, 22th May 2025, 01.00pm – As Malaysia prepares to host the ASEAN Summit 2025, Kuala Lumpur is undergoing a sweeping urban transformation aimed at positioning the capital as a clean, green, safe, and globally competitive city.
According to a statement from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the city’s beautification and infrastructure enhancement efforts are being ramped up in preparation for welcoming regional leaders and global delegates later this month.
“This transformation is part of a comprehensive strategy to elevate Kuala Lumpur’s profile as the host city for ASEAN 2025 and beyond,” DBKL said.
Widespread Beautification and Sustainability Efforts in Motion
Key initiatives currently underway include:
- Increased frequency of rubbish collection and street sweeping in high-traffic areas
- Replacement of 224 old rubbish bins with newly designed, modern units
- Upgrades to 40 rubbish collection centres, now decorated with public murals
- Deployment of daily “litter picker” teams in green zones along major routes
In a bid to encourage community engagement, DBKL has also introduced monthly “plogging” sessions—a combination of jogging and litter collection—every third Sunday. These events attract participation from local residents, NGOs, and student bodies.
Over 30 Key Locations to Be Upgraded in Phases
More than 30 strategic areas in the city are being upgraded in phases, focusing on:
- Pedestrian walkways
- Road resurfacing
- Public landscaping
Among the priority sites are Jalan Stesen Sentral, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Bangsar, Jalan Conlay, and Jalan P. Ramlee. Meanwhile, greener landscapes are being introduced at iconic zones such as Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Parlimen, and Lebuhraya Mahameru, featuring ornamental trees, tropical evergreens, and seasonal blooms.
To complement these upgrades, a maintenance and repainting campaign is also underway, urging building owners to restore and maintain properties along key routes.
Smart Surveillance and Emergency Monitoring Boosted
In line with its Smart City ambitions, DBKL has activated a Public Incident Operations Room, a centralised emergency and incident response hub. This control centre is supported by over 5,000 CCTV cameras deployed throughout the city, reinforcing security and public monitoring capabilities ahead of the summit.
ASEAN 2025 Summit and Strategic Meetings
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, will host the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from May 26 to 27. The summit will also feature the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, both seen as pivotal platforms for expanded geopolitical and economic cooperation.
Additionally, the ASEAN Summit with Dialogue Partners will be held later this year in October, further solidifying Kuala Lumpur’s role as a hub for regional diplomacy and policy discourse.
A Vision for a Progressive, Inclusive Capital
“We are confident these efforts will not only enhance Kuala Lumpur’s appeal as a premier host city but also reflect Malaysia’s broader vision of a sustainable, inclusive, and globally admired capital,” DBKL added.
The urban transformation efforts are expected to conclude in phases by mid-2025, setting a new benchmark for city development in Southeast Asia.ndustrial zone offering tax incentives and strategic logistics infrastructure. It serves as a key gateway for global supply chains and plays a central role in Malaysia’s trade connectivity and economic development.
