PJ residents question go-ahead for controversial highway’s progress

Residents in Petaling Jaya have hit out at news that the developer of a controversial highway has been given the green light to proceed with the next stage of planning, saying they were told that no submissions had been made at either the state or federal level.

In a statement, they referred to a report by The Star Metro dated July 31 which they said stated that PJD Link (M) Sdn Bhd had received approval from the Malaysian Highway Authority and the Highway Planning Unit under the works ministry.

“Residents of Petaling Jaya and Puchong have been in the dark about the status of this highway,” they said.

“The PJD Link highway (which is understood to be almost 85% similar to the Kidex Highway) has made residents wonder why a highway that was cancelled in 2015 is now back in the form of the PJD Dispersal Link.”

The PJD Link is being planned as a four-lane dual expressway that will commence after the NKVE toll plaza on the Sprint Highway, ending at the Bukit Jalil Highway Interchange.

It will link Petaling Jaya North, Bandar Utama, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, the Petaling Jaya city centre, Taman Dato Harun, Taman Medan Baru, Taman Sri Manja, Bandar Kinrara and Bukit Jalil Technology Park.

The state constituencies that will be affected include Bukit Gasing, Bandar Utama and Kinrara.

The residents said they had raised their concerns numerous times to Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaluddin and Bukit Gasing rep Rajiv Rishyakaran but were still waiting for action to be taken regarding the highway project.

They said a petition campaign signed by hundreds was also submitted to the assemblymen on July 30.

They said they had requested that their demands be raised at the Selangor state assembly sitting, slated to run from Aug 23 to Sept 6, in light of the most recent report about the highway’s status.

“Residents affected want the Selangor menteri besar and Selangor state government to commit to carrying out a transparent process, including holding extensive and detailed public hearings to gather feedback and objections to the project before any decisions are considered regarding the highway,” they said.