Nik Nazmi questions KL mayor’s early exit, urges reform

Nik Nazmi questions KL mayor’s early exit, urges reform






FORMER natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad expressed concern over the premature end of the tenure of Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif.


In a statement on social media yesterday, he sought clarification from the Federal Government.


“The tenures of mayors should not be prematurely terminated without good reason. The Federal Government must clarify why disrupting Kuala Lumpur’s governance like this was necessary.”

He added that the development drove home the need for reform in how the city is run, noting that residents currently have little say in governance.

Nik Nazmi pointed out that local council elections, long advocated by MPs and the bipartisan Public Accounts Committee, would improve accountability and performance.


He dismissed concerns that elections could ignite racial tensions, noting that bumiputras constitute almost half of Kuala Lumpur’s population.

“There really is no good excuse to delay this any longer,” he said, reiterating Pakatan Harapan’s 2022 manifesto pledge to boost democratic participation at the local government level.

The sudden change in leadership has renewed calls for transparency and reform in Kuala Lumpur’s governance structure.

The early termination of Dr Maimunah’s tenure took many by surprise, but authorities have stated that she is being reassigned to other responsibilities.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong consented to shorten her term by nine months, ending on Nov 14, 2025, to allow her to take up a senior role at PETRONAS as its property advisor, effective Nov 17.

Government Chief Secretary Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the move would enable Dr Maimunah to oversee PETRONAS’ land-related projects, including Bandar Malaysia, drawing on her extensive experience in urban planning and sustainable development, notably from her years leading UN-Habitat.

Dr Maimunah’s one-year tenure at Kuala Lumpur City Hall saw her bolster governance, modernise service delivery, and enhance financial management. — Nov 15, 2025