42 years of Dictatorship

Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) is the local authority charged with the administration of Kuala Lumpur.

It is an agency under the Federal Territories Ministry of Malaysia.

DBKL is responsible for public health and sanitation, waste removal and management, town planning, environmental protection and building control, social and economic development and general maintenance functions of urban infrastructure.

DBKL was formerly known as Majlis Bandaran Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur Municipal Council).

During British colonial times and early independence, Kuala Lumpur had been the capital of the country as well as the state of Selangor.

On April 1, 1961, the name changed into Kuala Lumpur Federal Capital Commission (Suruhanjaya Ibu Kota).

Kuala Lumpur later achieved city status in February 1, 1972, becoming the first settlement in Malaysia to be granted the status after independence. The name changed into the name today: Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur City Hall).

Kuala Lumpur was administered by a corporation sole called the Persuruhjaya Ibu Kota (Federal Capital Commissioner) from April 1, 1961 until it was awarded city status in February 1, 1972, after which executive power was transferred to the Datuk Bandar (Lord Mayor).

On February 1, 1974, Kuala Lumpur became a Federal Territory.

In 1978, Kuala Lumpur ceased to be the capital of Selangor after the city of Shah Alam was declared as the new state capital.

Executive power lies with the mayor in the city hall, who is appointed for three years by the Federal Territories Minister.

This system of appointing the mayor has been in place ever since the local government elections were suspended in 1970.

TODAY, FEB 1, 2014, WE CELEBRATE THE CITY OF KUALA LUMPUR'S 42 YEARS OF DICTATORSHIP.