[By William Leong, MP Selayang]
Although I am the MP for Selayang, I also have a responsibility to act on behalf of all citizens in Malaysia. I make this statement as MP and also as a resident of Petaling Jaya.
I object to the proposed Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link).
The traffic, social and environmental impact for the project passing through the Sungai Kayu Ara to Bukit Jalil will be the same as that in the scrapped Kinrara- Damansara Expressway (KIDEX).
No number of public engagements or town hall meetings can change the substantive issues involved.
The objections and concerns raised by the people to the scrapped KIDEX remains the same for the proposed PJD Link. The rebranding of KIDEX by another name cannot address the concerns of the public.
In addition, I wish to add, many of the residents affected by the proposed PJD Link are senior citizens or those who have already used their life savings to purchase their homes in the area.
With the increased property prices, the dislocation arising from the project would force the affected residents to relocate to suburban areas further away. This will cause them to be separated from their immediate families providing support to them and the existing community that they have been living in for all these years. The physical and mental stress and health issues arising from the displacement cannot be compensated by monetary means.
The costs in terms of the misery and suffering to the affected residents far outweigh any benefits that the PJD Link may bring. I therefore urge the Selangor government to reject this proposed PJD Link.
The Selangor government must put the interests of the people before the profits of a privatized toll highway concessionaire. There are many other projects that the Selangor government can undertake to stimulate the economy affected by the Covid- 19 pandemic. The proposed PJD Link is not one of them.
The transportation connectivity and accessibility can be addressed without sacrificing the interests of the residents affected by the proposed PJD Link. It bears to be reminded that one of the promises of the Pakatan Harapan government is to do away with toll highways.
William Leong Jee Keen
4 March 2021