The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has dismissed viral claims that its enforcement officers accepted “bribes” from a “foreign” hawker in exchange for returning confiscated items.
DBKL said the confiscation involving a hawker selling grilled corn was carried out because he was operating without a licence. Action was taken against him on 7 June along Jalan Bukit Bintang.
Viral video fasely claims DBKL returned a polystyrene box for a bribe
In a statement, DBKL explained that the incident involved a Malaysian hawker and said firm action was taken under By-Law 3(1) of the Hawkers Licensing (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) By-Laws 2016. Officers confiscated key business equipment, namely a gas cylinder and a trolley, which were taken to the confiscation store.
Responding to the return of a white polystyrene box seen in the viral video, which has since been deleted, DBKL said it was done after the hawker appealed to retrieve perishable food items (raw corn) inside.
“Taking into consideration the nature of the food, the officers issued a stern warning and returned the food container. However, enforcement action against the other business equipment was still carried out as usual,” the statement said.
DBKL warns against spreading speculation that could harm its reputation
DBKL said it takes the baseless allegations seriously and emphasised that the claims are completely untrue.
“DBKL stressed that it has never compromised in carrying out its duties for the benefit of the public. For the record, a total of five cases and four compound notices were issued in the surrounding area on the same date, 7 June 2026.”
It also urged the public to stop spreading speculation that could damage the agency’s credibility and reputation or cause misunderstandings among the public.
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