Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh has expressed disappointment after large amounts of rubbish were left behind at Dataran Merdeka following the public screening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina early Monday.
Hannah said those who gathered to enjoy the historic match should have shown greater respect for Kuala Lumpur by ensuring the iconic public space was left clean after the event. The World Cup final attracted thousands of football fans across the country, with many gathering at public venues to watch the match together.
“I believe the people of Kuala Lumpur love this city. That is why I am disappointed that after celebrating and cheering together at Dataran Merdeka, the area was left in this condition,” she said.
She also thanked Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) workers, who immediately began cleaning the site after the event ended.
According to Hannah, while spectators had already gone home, DBKL personnel continued working tirelessly to restore Dataran Merdeka to a clean, safe and comfortable condition for the public.
She stressed that although taxpayers deserve quality public services, maintaining cleanliness is a shared responsibility and should not fall entirely on cleaning workers.
“Throwing rubbish into bins is a basic responsibility of every individual. It should not be left entirely to cleaning staff.
“The right to receive public services does not mean we can leave all responsibilities to public workers. They should not have to clean up rubbish that people deliberately leave behind,” she said.
Hannah described Dataran Merdeka as more than just an event venue, saying it is a historic landmark that symbolises the pride and dignity of both Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia.
She added that the issue reflects the aspirations of the Malaysia MADANI agenda, which encourages not only good governance but also greater civic responsibility among the public.
Echoing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s message, Hannah said a nation’s progress should not only be measured by physical development, but also by the public’s attitude towards respecting and preserving shared facilities and public spaces.
She once again thanked DBKL workers for their dedication and urged Malaysians to play their part in keeping the capital city clean.
“Kuala Lumpur is our home. Don’t dirty your own home and expect someone else to clean it,” she said.
