FT minister targets DBKL red tape to put KL on Asia’s concert map

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Minister Hannah Yeoh has said that she is looking to slash bureaucratic red tape for concert approvals in the city here.

Speaking at the launch of the KL Headline Season 2026 last night, the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) said she intends to work with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and KL Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud to streamline current standard operating procedures (SOP).

“Time is money, speed is the currency, and this is how I want to drive DBKL forward – by facilitating approvals efficiently when dealing with applications. We cannot just sit and wait for things to happen; we have to facilitate and move,” Yeoh said.

She noted that the decision was predicated on her previous experience as an event manager before entering politics, giving her a first-hand understanding of the struggles faced by local organisers in securing concert approvals.

“We understand how difficult it is to manage a concert. When you have to sell tickets while simultaneously chasing approvals from multiple departments, it causes a lot of stress.

“So, we really want to cut the red tape, and I will be monitoring this together with DBKL and the KL Mayor,” she added.

Yeoh said the government has already reduced deposits for concerts, local shows, and cultural performances.

“Now, I want to monitor the timeline of these approvals to ensure we are operating at speed.”

Aside from administrative reforms, Yeoh said that the recent controversial Rain Rave Water Music Festival (RRWMF), held during the Labour Day weekend, garnered RM320 million in economic returns.

Based on data collected by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Yeoh said RRWMF attracted over 100,000 international visitors who spent approximately RM255 million over that Labour Day weekend alone. The festival also drew over 150,000 local visitors who spent around RM64 million.

“I want to thank the prime minister because even though there were numerous calls for cancellation, the government continued to support Tourism Malaysia’s effort to promote KL as a destination for entertainment, concerts, and festivals,” she said.

As the KL Headline Season 2026 aims to solidify the city centre as one of Asia’s leading concert destinations, Yeoh also stressed the importance of nurturing local talent and providing platforms for them to showcase their gifts.

In an effort to bolster local performers, Yeoh pledged RM30,000 to local youth dance group Zeppo Youngsterz. 

She said that she first encountered the group during her tenure as the youth and sports minister and was impressed by their talent and their ongoing work conducting workshops to nurture other local dancers.

“My vision for KL is not just for us to be a host or to provide venues. I look forward to a day where our artists and celebrities come from our younger generation. We do not just want to raise young people with straight A’s; we want young people with different gifts to be celebrated in this country and given the platform to perform,” Yeoh said.

Zeppo Youngsterz previously made waves in 2023 after clinching first place in the Super 24 dance competition in Singapore, where they performed clad in traditional Malay warrior attire while skilfully blending ‘kuda kepang’ elements with hip-hop.

المصدر: Malay Mail