In Malaysia, unlicensed street photography becomes focus of crackdown

While many Europeans are considering putting long-haul flying on the back burner as jet fuel costs and airfares climb, those with a trip already booked for Malaysia

may need to watch out if ambling around with a camera slung across a shoulder.

Following an early April warning about unlicensed street photography, city authorities in Kuala Lumpur, the country’s capital, have confiscated equipment from six people, five of them non-Malaysians, pending payment of fines levied under street hawking regulations.

According to local media reports, Kuala Lumpur City Hall said enforcement would be carried out from time to time because unauthorised photography breaches hawking rules and could pose a safety risk to visitors and drivers.

Street photographers at Kuala Lumpur landmarks have often offered tourists a more professional alternative to a selfie for a fee.

Malaysia is one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, with government statistics showing 42 million arrivals in 2025.