Nearly 30 freelance street photographers were slapped with compound notices of RM2,000 each on Sunday night for operating without valid permits in the KLCC area, a popular tourist hotspot.
The coordinated enforcement action, carried out by the Police, the Immigration Department, and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), was taken under By-law 3(1) of the Federal Territory Hawkers Licensing By-Laws 2016. Authorities said the photographers were offering commercial photography services on public property without proper authorization.
This move comes amid mounting public complaints and a recent incident involving one of the photographers that went viral on social media. According to Harian Metro, the viral misunderstanding—reportedly due to a language barrier between a photographer and a foreign tourist—sparked increased scrutiny on the group’s activities.
The freelance photographers are known for snapping on-the-spot photos of locals and tourists around KLCC, especially with the iconic Petronas Twin Towers in the background. Many operate using smartphones and offer immediate digital delivery of the photos.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the photographers said this was the first time such fines had been issued. “RM2,000 is a huge amount. If this continues, I might have to quit and find another job,” he said, adding that enforcement officers hinted at the possibility of a future permit system.
Despite some resistance during the raid, the situation remained under control and no major incidents were reported. Kuala Lumpur Immigration Director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff was also present to oversee the operation.
Authorities are now reportedly exploring the implementation of a formal licensing framework to regulate freelance photography activities in public spaces, aiming to strike a balance between entrepreneurship and proper oversight.
