KUALA Lumpur residents are questioning the role and function of the Federal Territories Department (FTD) after it was set up by the unity government last year.

The department, which was previously known as the Federal Territories Ministry, has been restructured and placed under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Department.

The residents told The Malaysian Insight that they have yet to see any changes made by FTD for their well-being and ease of city life.

Save KL coalition spokesman M. Ali said they have not seen any tangible results after the Federal Territories Ministry became FTD.

“They now have a director-general (Rosida Jaafar). So what we want to know is the role and function of FTD. It has not been made known to us,” he said.

“Also, has there been a reduction in manpower, budget and resources since it (Federal Territories Ministry) has been reduced to a department?”

Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali announced last December that the Federal Territories Ministry has been restructured to FTD.

The ministry was last led by Shahidan Kassim, prior to the dissolution of parliament on October 10.

Ali said they will be writing to seek a meeting with Rosida soon.

“What is her role and function and what are they going to do for us as the keepers of Kuala Lumpur?

“My impression is that nothing has changed in terms of governing the city,” he said.

Ali also asked about the status of the Kuala Lumpur land and mines office, which was previously under the purview of the ministry.

“Where are they now and what are their functions? There must be transparency. All these details must be made known,” he said.

Ali also believes that the Kuala Lumpur mayor should solely be left to govern the city.

Bangsar Baru Residents Association secretary Prem Kumar Nair said if they (the unity government) are making changes like this (rebranding of the Federal Territories Ministry), then they should inform the residents accordingly.

“If it (FTD) is under the Prime Minister’s Department, then what difference does it make? If it is changing for the better, then what is its function now?” asked Prem.

“How will it benefit the people, business operators and others? How can we communicate to channel our problems?”

Prem said so far, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall has not communicated with the residents as there has been no meeting or town hall session on FTD.

“They should be taking the initiative to engage with the residents,” he said.

“People don’t know what their (FTD) role and function are.

“What we want is, the authorities solve our problems here.”

He said there is still traffic congestion, pubs operating late and no constant enforcement on haphazard parking.

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, who is serving his fourth term, has reiterated that the Federal Territories Ministry is redundant.

He said the ministry had been playing an overlapping role with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and it was a waste of taxpayers’ funds and resources.

“I believe that it is still redundant and FTD should be abolished. Send the staff back to DBKL and give City Hall sole management,” he said.

Lim said it was a good move by the government to abolish the Federal Territories Ministry.

“Now, the mayor (Mahadi Che Ngah) has been having monthly meetings with the MPs since January,” he said.

“The DBKL directors will discuss issues in our areas and we will give our feedback. Unlike before, where they only listen to the federal territories minister.

“Before this, there was also no engagement with the minister.

“I also heard that DBKL didn’t want to work with us (Federal Territory MPs) previously because we were the opposition.”

When asked if he had spoken to Rosida, Lim replied in the negative.

The Federal Territories Ministry, which was established in 1979, was tasked with overseeing the administration and development of the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim abolished it after deciding for a leaner cabinet line-up. – March 8, 2023.