Kuala Lumpur: The Federal Territory Department is set to engage with street performers in a dialogue session during the second quarter of this year. This initiative aims to gather preliminary input for the formulation of the Federal Territory Entertainment Policy, as announced by Dr Zaliha Mustafa, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the session will also include street artists who currently lack performance permits, with the goal of identifying their challenges and exploring potential support mechanisms. The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has already issued permits to 374 street performers in the music performance category and 205 in the creative visual arts category, which encompasses clowns, mascots, magicians, and henna artists.
Dr Zaliha emphasized that this initiative is designed to cultivate a well-organized and high-quality community of street performers in Kuala Lumpur, enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination. Speaking during the Ministers’ Questions Time in the Dewan Rakyat, she responded to a query from P. Prabakaran (PH-Batu) about DBKL’s efforts to elevate the status of street performers akin to those in major cities like London and Paris, as part of the broader strategy to position Kuala Lumpur as a cultural hub in anticipation of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
In addition, Dr Zaliha encouraged performers to blend classic songs with modern elements alongside popular tunes, to help tourists appreciate Malaysia’s traditional music genres such as gamelan and ghazal. She also advised performers to enhance their appearance, dress modestly, and engage more professionally with their audiences.
Furthermore, Dr Zaliha mentioned that DBKL requires street performers seeking to renew their permits to participate in an enhancement workshop. This workshop is intended to ensure that performers continue to comply with established guidelines and improve their performance quality. It will cover rules and guidelines regarding authorized locations, operating hours, noise limits, and include safety briefings by the police to prevent disruptions in their surroundings.