PUTRAJAYA: Night-time cleaning is coming to the streets of Kuala Lumpur via a pilot project at some of the city’s busiest tourist hotspots, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.

As part of the Public Cleansing Reform under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the initiative will be implemented in areas such as Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Alor, among others.

“Midnight cleaning works have been proven successful in developed cities such as Shanghai and others.

“This approach avoids daytime traffic disruptions, and our workers won’t have to toil under the sweltering heat as well.

“We will focus on tourist areas, and this will be announced,” said Nga after launching the Semarak Jiwa Merdeka event at his ministry here yesterday.

He added that garbage collection frequency would also be increased from two or three times to four times a week to ensure more consistent waste management.

To further improve hygiene, a deep cleaning programme using waterjet systems will be implemented at selected locations to eliminate dust and grime.

Nga also revealed plans to gradually roll out electric garbage trucks nationwide as part of the country’s transition to a net-zero emissions economy.

“Garbage trucks powered by electricity instead of fossil fuels will be introduced this year.”

In addition to public cleaning reforms, the ministry is tasked with delivering one million affordable homes between 2026 and 2035, as outlined in the 13MP, which was tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last week.

Nga also said the Urban Renewal Bill is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat during the current parliamentary sitting ending this month.