‘Small steps better than no action’, says Hannah Yeoh amid ‘Bangun KL’ debate

SHAH ALAM — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh has defended the “Bangun KL” initiative, saying even modest interventions are worthwhile in tackling Kuala Lumpur’s worsening traffic congestion.

“It is better than doing nothing. At least everyone is trying to play their role to improve the situation,” she said at a press conference after witnessing a Memorandum of Collaboration signing between Kuala Lumpur City Hall and CIMB under the “Moving KL Forward” initiative.

Launched on April 9 in collaboration with Zus Coffee, the “Bangun KL” campaign offers around 30 per cent discounts on selected drinks between 7am and 8am across 250 outlets in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

The aim is to encourage commuters to start their journeys earlier, easing pressure during peak hours.

Yeoh said the initiative is part of a wider approach to urban management that relies on cooperation with the private sector rather than government action alone.

“We work with anyone who wants to collaborate as long as it benefits the people,” she said, adding that similar partnerships have been made with companies such as Carsome and CIMB under separate programmes.

She stressed that the initiatives do not involve government expenditure and are intended to add value through corporate participation.

However, the campaign has drawn mixed reactions and public scepticism.

Critics say the initiative does little to address the structural causes of congestion, noting that many Klang Valley residents already begin their commute as early as 6am.

Others argue that a coffee discount is unlikely to change fixed routines shaped by work schedules, school runs and limited transport options.

Some have also described it as a marketing-driven campaign rather than a meaningful policy response to traffic problems.

Yeoh acknowledged the limitations, saying the programme is not designed to reach everyone.

“Not everyone likes coffee. Those who don’t drink coffee will never be part of this. But if you wake up early and enjoy coffee, then you get the discount. That’s all,” she said.

Kuala Lumpur’s traffic congestion remains severe, with an estimated 1.2 million vehicles entering the city daily and peak-hour gridlock typically between 8am and 9am.

Yeoh said even small behavioural shifts could still make a measurable difference.

Beyond “Bangun KL”, she said the government is pursuing multiple measures, including flexible work arrangements, infrastructure expansion, and improved traffic monitoring through smart CCTV systems in collaboration with enforcement agencies.

“Many cities around the world face the same issue. We are not sitting still,” she said, pointing to ongoing transport projects such as the LRT3 line.