On a typical day at KLCC, where tourists swarm for selfies under the Petronas Twin Towers, a familiar scene unfolded that quickly turned heads… illegal street photographers were back in action despite recent enforcement efforts. Just 4 days ago, on 8th August 2025, a TikTok clip began making its rounds online capturing a tense and unusually candid moment between a photographer and a group of Chinese tourists.
(Source: TikTok)
In the video, one of the tourists handed over only RM5 for a single printed shot and that seems to have set the photographer off. The man mumbled something under his breath that let his displeasure show even though it was not clearly audible. The tourist just shrugged and laughed it off instead of getting upset. A voiceover in the clip cheekily narrates exactly what the photographer was fuming about. The bundle of practical hilarity and tension made it viral overnight.
(Source: TikTok)
What is remarkable here is that just weeks before, DBKL and several agencies had cracked down hard on these unlicensed vendors. Some of these operators were fined up to RM2,000 but apparently that did little to send them packing. In an operation known as OPS LENS conducted on 27th July 2025, DBKL raided the area, and a total of 41 compounds were issued to almost 30 unlicensed photographers.
(Source: DBKL)
On TikTok and X, locals are buzzing, most irked that the shutterbugs are back in full force. Users have been pleading for action. Is there no enforcement any more? Some even remarked they are turning this into a proper career. Worst of all for some sceptical netizens the setup seemed amateurish. The photographer was allegedly using only an iPhone, not even a DSLR.
The sentiment is loud and clear… these vendors are tarnishing Malaysia’s reputation as a welcoming destination.
Back to Blog 