The move to suspend approvals for new projects comes in response to a number of troubling sinkholes emerging in the city, including one whose victim has still not been located nearly a week later.

Recent sinkhole incidents in Kuala Lumpur have raised concerns about the safety of ongoing construction projects. Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa confirmed on August 29 – as reported by The Edge, Astro Awani, and other media outlets – that the government has temporarily halted new construction approvals in the city, pending the formation of a task force to review safety protocols.

This decision came after multiple sinkholes appeared, including one in Jalan Masjid India, which resulted in a tourist falling into an eight-metre-deep hole, sparking an ongoing search and rescue operation.

On Wednesday, Dr Zaliha explained that the task force would focus on revising the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for development projects in Kuala Lumpur. One key measure under consideration is the mandatory inclusion of geotechnical studies for all new developments, a requirement previously limited to projects on slopes. This decision aims to prevent future sinkhole occurrences and ensure public safety in the city.

According to Dr Zaliha, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has already been directed to work closely with geologists and infrastructure experts to evaluate and mitigate risks. However, despite these announcements, confusion arose when reports surfaced suggesting that all construction projects in the city had been suspended.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif however, denied claims of putting a stop to all projects. Addressing the reports on August 28, as reported by The Star, Maimunah clarified that there was no moratorium on development projects in the capital, a statement which to some appeared to conflict with the Minister’s declaration that all new project approvals had been temporarily suspended – the literal definition of a moratorium.

It’s difficult to parse the words with contradictory reports flying about, but it appears the confusion arose over whether it was “all new project approvals” that were suspended, or indeed “all projects.”

Maimunah went on to explain that the city’s approach was not to halt all projects, but to exercise caution by double-checking certain developments.

“What I meant is that we have asked for development orders to be double-checked in the case of developments that have been approved, for which the development order has yet to be issued,” said Maimunah. She added that for plans not yet approved, DBKL is ensuring that a geotechnical report has been submitted. This precautionary step does not equate to a blanket suspension of all development.

Maimunah expressed frustration over what she described as misleading information being circulated based on an internal letter she had issued to DBKL’s planning department. “We are merely putting a comma, not a full stop,” she said, emphasizing that development in the city had not been stopped.

DBKL is working diligently with various agencies to ensure that areas affected by the sinkholes, particularly in Masjid India, are safe. Maimunah assured the public that the safety of Kuala Lumpur residents remains DBKL’s top priority and that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent future incidents.