[2013] 

Find out what transpired when Kidex was awarded.  

KUALA LUMPUR: The controversial, privately funded 14.9km Kinrara Damansara Skyway (Kidex Skyway) has received the government’s go-ahead, said the concessionaire Kidex Sdn Bhd.

The company, reported to be controlled by Umno lawyer Datuk Hafarizam Harun and the wife of former Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi, said yesterday it has been awarded the Kidex Skyway project that will link Damansara and Puchong.

It did not disclose the project cost, but earlier reports had indicated that Kidex Skyway will cost RM2.2 billion.

“In terms of project cost, the expenditure is well within the parameters of comparably complex engineering projects, despite it being the newest.

“A win-win for all stakeholders, the government will obtain a valuable privately funded infrastructure, while commerce and business activity will improve, resulting in greater efficiencies due to reduced transportation costs,” the company said in a statement.

Kidex said the project starts from the NKVE Damansara toll plaza and will pass through Petaling Jaya and Puchong and link up to the Bukit Jalil Highway. The skyway will include seven interchanges and affect 3,784 lots. The company, however, said less than 10% of them, mostly industrial lots, will be finally acquired.

“Since it passes through one of the most densely built up environments in the country, a major length of the skyway will be constructed at heights of between 8m and 24m above ground level to fly over existing bridges, flyovers and other impediments.”

Kidex, formerly known as Konsortium Zabima Emrail, is a merger of two companies — Zabima Engineering and Construction Sdn Bhd and Emrail Sdn Bhd.

Kidex said both Zabima Engineering and Construction, and Emrail are PKK Class A and CIDB G7 contractors with a successful track record of having undertaken large civil engineering construction projects.

Residents affected by the proposed skyway protested against the project in September last year. The project had also come under heavy criticism from Pakatan Rakyat because of the involvement of Zaki’s wife and Hafarizam.

Kidex said it will soon begin the process of public consultations and display the alignment at relevant municipal offices in order to obtain public feedback. “If viable and required, amendments to the alignment may be made,” it said.

On the toll rate for the skyway, Kidex said it will be finalised by the government on completion of the project.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on December 3, 2013.