KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 — The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is expected to spend RM100 million for 260 urban beautification and greening projects identified to spruce up Kuala Lumpur into an international metropolis.

Local Government Development (KPKT) Minister Nga Kor Ming said following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's directive to DBKL to beautify and green the nation's capital at the end of last month, DBKL has identified 260 beautification projects.

In the pipeline are upgrading and improving the cleanliness of public toilets, upgrading 20 business districts around the capital, upgrading seven hawker centres and repainting DBKL apartments," he said in a statement today.

Other works include the installation of light-emitting diode (LED) and solar street lights, upgrading and beautifying major tourist attractions, creating more footpaths and improving existing public transport.

"I hope that the residents of Kuala Lumpur will also cooperate with DBKL and we will make the nation's capital an international-class metropolis," he said.

Nga said to improve public facilities, the government has approved DBKL's application to add more free electric buses (Go KL Ride) this year.

"To foster a sustainable lifestyle, the government encourages more people to use public transport, it is not only an environmentally friendly practice but can also reduce carbon emission," he said.

He also said the trees and decorative plants near Dataran Merdeka that were damaged by visitors attending the National Day celebration last year have been replanted.

"In order to ensure that local governments throughout the country can further improve work that affects the people's daily lives, I will take the time to do spot checks in various areas, every month, after completing the work at the Ministry of Local Government Development office," he said. — Bernama