Some KL eateries flout outdoor dining rules causing congestion and posing safety risks

KUALA LUMPUR – The bustling food scene of Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur owes much of its charm to al fresco dining, but unauthorised dining in public spaces is costing Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) millions of ringgit in lost revenue.

What began as a wish to dine in the open air has turned into chaos, with thousands of stalls and restaurants spilling onto pavements, parking bays and roads – sidestepping permit fees that could have been reinvested for public infrastructure.

Despite the charm, these set-ups often operate without approval, contributing to congestion, posing safety risks and blurring the lines between public and private spaces.

With enforcement trailing far behind, illegal operations are flourishing, turning shared city spaces into private cash cows.

Rules and regulation

Under DBKL guidelines, restaurant and cafe operators must pay RM20 (S$6) to RM50 per table a month and provide a security deposit of up to RM10,000, depending on the number of tables.

But with widespread disregard for these rules, DBKL continues to lose millions in uncollected fees and deposits each year.

Only licensed businesses with approved permits can place tables and chairs in designated areas – and even then, there are clear restrictions on size, placement and operating hours.

You can spot an illegal set-up if a restaurant places tables on parking bays, obstructs walkways or roads while lacking the required DBKL permit sticker, or if a roadside stall sets up tables and chairs.

A DBKL spokesman for the enforcement department clarified that only licensed businesses operating as restaurants, cafes or coffee shops can apply for outdoor-seating permits.

“These are issued by DBKL’s licensing and business development department,” said