KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is implementing various measures to clean up the streets and back alleys of the capital, which are associated with prostitution activities.
Among the efforts being planned are physical beautification initiatives, including the opening of cafes, food stalls, and galleries run by young entrepreneurs.
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif said DBKL is working to clean and beautify the back alleys, aiming to replace them with cafes, eateries, or galleries operated by young entrepreneurs.
"We are providing incentives. We want to transform these areas into something like Paris by changing the activities here, perhaps by adding murals.
"When these areas are bright and clean, I hope the activities related to prostitution will diminish or even disappear," she said during the 'Podcast BH, Borak Harini: Kuala Lumpur di Tangan Maimunah,' which aired yesterday.
Maimunah said efforts will be made to enhance enforcement in coordination with the police and the Immigration Department against brothels in the capital.
This was necessary as DBKL's authority only covers premises and operational licences, while issues related to foreign workers and criminal activities are under the jurisdiction of the police and Immigration Department.
"When I met with the new Dang Wangi district police chief (Assistant Commissioner Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman), I suggested that we conduct operations in a more integrated manner.
"Such operations already exist, but we want to increase their frequency. Since DBKL cannot conduct arrests alone, working together consistently may help reduce prostitution, even if it is difficult to eliminate," she said.
Previously, police identified four locations in the city as hotspots for prostitution, offering services at low prices to customers, including Jalan Petaling, Jalan Gelang and Jalan Pudu.
In July, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the persistent challenge of bribery is hindering efforts to eradicate prostitution and gambling centres in the country.
However, the prime minister noted that the government has taken strict measures since last year to address the issue.
On tourism, Maimunah expressed her desire for attractions in the capital to be based on healthy and clean approaches.
She stated this includes the existence of massage parlours or spas operating legally without negative elements.
"We want 'clean' and well-regulated massage parlours; this can be a tourist attraction, but they must operate within the legal framework, not otherwise," she said.