Residents question silence from elected reps over revival of axed highway
Most have not responded to concerns about the PJD Link, which critics say will displace long-time residents and businesses and increase noise pollution along with other environmental and health hazards.
Residents in Petaling Jaya opposed to a plan to bring back an axed highway project have questioned the lack of support from several elected representatives whose areas will be among the worst affected.
For several weeks, protest has been growing against the plan to proceed with the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link), the routes of which are similar to the controversial Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex), scrapped in 2015 by then-Selangor menteri besar Mohamed Azmin Ali following strong public pressure.
But apart from Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, there has been little noise from politicians to lend weight to these protests.
“So far, only Maria has made her objection to the proposed highway; others are either elegantly silent or ambivalent,” said Josh Hong, a resident from Section 17 – one of the areas that will be affected by the 34km elevated highway.
Checks by MalaysiaNow showed residents putting up banners to protest the PJD Link at major landmarks including the Federal Highway.
Many residents have also hung banners proclaiming “No PJD Link” outside their homes.
“We need to have a town hall with the developer and the state government to verify the traffic, social and environmental impact assessments. The state government must manage a town hall and invite the people to take part in the discussion,” Moqhtar said.
The PJD Link will be developed by PJD Link (M) Sdn Bhd, a family-controlled construction company headed by Hari Narayanan Govindasamy, a businessman who also holds directorships in several private companies.
The company has defended the project as critical to easing traffic congestion in Petaling Jaya as well as cutting travel time.
But critics say the highway will displace long-time residents and businesses, and increase noise pollution, as well as other environmental and health hazards.
They also challenge the claim on easing congestion, saying the PJD Link will only bring more traffic into the city from neighbouring townships.
Moqhtar expressed disappointment with elected representatives, saying they had failed to fulfil their election promises.
“We feel that we have been deceived because all this while, the elected representatives had convinced us that Kidex is dead.
“The previous menteri besar said that Kidex will be taken off but his successor is saying he is going to go ahead with it,” he added.
Michael Kum, another member of the Coalition Against PJD Link, said there should be proper traffic, social and environmental impact assessments as well as consultations with the affected residents.
“We are not against development but this project was not right from the beginning. We are proposing that the state come up with a better transport model instead. We don’t need more cars,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hong criticised Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari for taking a sympathetic stance favouring the developer.
“The state government must explain categorically whether or not the PJD Link has been approved, and whether the assessments on environmental, social and economic impact have been conducted.
“If the conditions are not met, there’s no basis for him to tell PJ residents to give the developer a fair hearing! Why did he disparage the critics as being ’emotional’ when the MB himself refused to provide more clarity on the project?” Hong asked.
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