Why announce axing of PJD Link ahead of state polls, asks lawyer

A lawyer has questioned the move by Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari to scrap the controversial Petaling Jaya Dispersal (PJD) Link, urging an explanation for how a caretaker government can announce the construction or cancellation of any mega project once the state assembly is dissolved. 

The Selangor legislative assembly was officially dissolved on June 23, two days before the expiry of its five-year term, paving the way for an election alongside a number of other states on Aug 12. 

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, Rafique Rashid questioned Amirudin's intention in announcing the cancellation of the PJD Link, less than two weeks before the polls. 

"As a caretaker menteri besar, he should be more attentive to the timing of his announcement," he said. 

"Why not announce this before the state assembly was dissolved? Why not before campaigning for the election began?"

Rafique acknowledged that the announcement would come as good news to those who had actively opposed the project, calling it proof that the voice of the people could cause the government to change its decisions. 

Nevertheless, he said, the timing of the announcement raised questions. 

He also asked what guarantee the people had that the government would not continue with a similar project under a different name in the time to come, and whether Amirudin's move was a political gimmick ahead of polling day in Selangor. 

Amirudin said on July 31 that his administration was not satisfied with the plan as it did not meet the conditions set by the state government.

"Therefore, the Selangor government does not intend to proceed with this proposal, and has decided to cancel the application for the construction of the PJD Link highway," he said. 

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

It would have linked 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, affecting a number of state constituencies including Bukit Gasing, Bandar Utama and Kinrara.

Petaling Jaya residents had raised concerns about the highway, pointing out its similarities to the Kidex Highway and asking why a project that had been cancelled in 2015 now appeared to be making a comeback in the form of the PJD Link.
 
Rafique said other factors to be taken into consideration included the response and impact of the project's cancellation on the part of the developer. 

He said according to Amirudin's statement, the government and developer had signed a concession agreement related to the required environmental and social impact surveys.

"There are cost issues involved as well as compensation, and the government will face legal action from the developer. 

"This will involve costs that are borne by the people or the taxpayers," he said.