Kuala Lumpur's Bukit Bintang may bar vehicle entry

KUALA LUMPUR: The busy shopping district of Bukit Bintang may be the next area here to go vehicle-free here.

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said this would follow the weekly Sunday closure of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR).

“After Jalan TAR, we are looking (to implement the concept) around the Federal Hotel area as it is a pedestrian hotspot.

“We are still conducting engagement sessions and will announce in due course,” he said after launching the 9th CityNet Congress here.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah said feedback from the public had mostly been supportive of the Jalan TAR weekly closure.

“We are planning more content and activities to make the place more vibrant,” he added.

The Jalan TAR closure implemented by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) from 6am to midnight every Sunday took effect from Aug 28.

The closed stretch is from Sogo shopping centre at the Jalan Esfahan junction until Jalan Tun Perak near Panggung Bandaraya.

Meanwhile, some 230 local and international participants converged on Kuala Lumpur for the three-day CityNet Congress.

This is the first time the Malaysian city is playing host to the programme, with delegates from more than 15 countries taking part.

“This congress brings together city mayors, government officials and stakeholders to share ideas and experiences,” Jalaluddin said during the launch.

This year’s theme is “City for All: Activating Access for Urban Growth”.

Participants will also visit the Sustainable Development Goal Centre in Jalan Raja, Wangsa Maju Carbon-Neutral Growth Centre and Razak Mansion Development, among others.

It is co-organised by Seoul-based CityNet, an association of urban stakeholders committed to sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region, together with DBKL.