I’ve been a longtime resident of Section 14 and a rate payer and am very aware of the happenings in Petaling Jaya especially since the time of the controversial Kidex elevated highway and its subsequent cancellation in 2015.
Recent Selangor Menteri Besar, Dato Amiruddin Shari 's assertion in the media that it was "unfair to equate PJD Link highway to the previously scrapped Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex)" is not only a shocker but the claim in itself is totally unfair to the residents of Section 14 and the rest of Petaling Jaya.
It was the MTES decision to grant the developer permission to engage with the residents that made the Residents Action Committee to swing into action. We had asked for a meeting with MB since 21/10/2021 but to date no meeting was granted.
The residents in Section 14 have been objecting to the PJD Link elevated highway since 2016. We had even engaged with the previous MB's office and through our Bukit Gasing State elected representative, YB Rajiv Rishyakaran, assurances were made that so long the PH government was in control of Selangor State, PJD Link highway will not be developed. The latest affirmation was at the GE14 pre-election rally in Section 14/26 field. To-date this alignment was also not incorporated in PJ local plan.
Our earlier checks with the then Works Minister, YB Dato' Fadillah in 2017 confirmed that the route for PJD Link and Kidex was almost similar but with minor variations. He confirmed that the same group was behind the development of both highways. There were two highway applications running parallel at Federal level despite the cancellation of Kidex by the Selangor MB in 2015.
On our request, the previous MP for Petaling Jaya Selatan, YB Hee Loy Sian submitted a parliamentary motion to delete Kidex in 2017. YB Hee is now in the State Exco and a member of MTES. MB only had to cross-check with YB Hee to confirm the similarity of the route for PJD Link and Kidex. The length of the Highway is 34.3km, including an additional 21.8km of on/off ramps under PJD Link.
The previous MB, Dato' Seri Azmin B Ali would surely have weighed the State's intention, development goals and residents objection before reaching a conclusive decision to reject Kidex in 2015. The developer had failed to comply with preconditions set by the State amongst which the mandatory submission of traffic, social and environment impact assessment.
The briefings done by the developer in late 2020 was also without the Traffic Impact, Social Impact and Environment Impact assessment reports. So whatever engagements with the residents by the developer or some elected representatives did not even comply to the standards set by the previous MB in 2015. Why was the developer allowed to engage with residents in the first place in the absence of these reports?
In announcing the cancellation, the former Menteri Besar had given his commitment that all aspects and matters connected to Kidex Highway will be removed from the Selangor State Structural Plan 2035. We have not seen proof that the Kidex alignment was removed from the State Structural Plan 2035. Is PJD Link route now borrowing the alignment of the defunct Kidex?
In less than 6 years since the cancellation of Kidex, it now appears that the developers interest overrides residents objection and is now part of the State's development goals. Is the MB now saying that the standard applied by the previous MB to be different ? If so, we are now left wondering the reasons for cancellation of Kidex in 2015.
The Vibes.com reported on 16/1/2021 that construction of PJD Link is expected to start at year end following approvals and an environmental impact assessment.
The people of Petaling Jaya had voted for a competent, accountable and transparent government in GE14. And in the spirit of CAT, it our sincere wishes for the definitive cancellation of PJD Link Highway. We hope that the MB opens his doors to meet up with the Residents representatives to ensure all fairness is accorded.
Sheikh Moqhtar Kadir
President
Concerned Residents Section 14, Petaling Jaya Action Committee