Can I take photos of government buildings under construction?
Personal photo and video are generally allowed in visitor areas like Plaza Seremoni, but only at spots permitted by staff. Drones are generally banned over the Istana Negara area, which has national strategic site status.
In areas that are genuinely open for visits, like Plaza Seremoni, Taman Kusuma Bangsa, and around Masjid Negara, personal photo and video is generally fine, but only at spots permitted by on-site staff. Follow their guidance on where you can and can't shoot.
About drones
This part is fairly clear: flying a personal drone over the Government Core Area, including the Istana Negara area, is generally prohibited or heavily restricted, since it's classified as a national strategic site closed to drone flights. Don't fly one there without official authorization.
What you still need to confirm yourself
Detailed rules can change, and we don't have an up-to-date official list of exactly which spots are off-limits to photography on the day you visit. Ask staff on-site directly before photographing anything that feels sensitive, especially near government buildings that are still actively in use.
The drone ban over Istana Negara is fairly clear-cut. Photo and video rules at other spots depend more on staff guidance on the day, so still check directly on-site.