By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, July 14 — Selangor will only consider approving the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link Expressway (PJD Link) project if it is satisfied with the findings of studies conducted by the concession company, as well as public feedback.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the state government would not approve the project if it strikes resemblance to the contentious Kinrara–Damansara Expressway (Kidex), which has since been scrapped in 2015.
“They have to come back to us regarding all the issues highlighted about Kidex, such as changes in the extensions, design, or architecture of the highway, including the alignment. They have also promised to address problems raised during the proposal for Kidex.
“So, we need to listen first to see whether they have actually addressed these problems and tackled all the issues.
“If we are satisfied and receive the necessary response from the public, then we may consider it. However, if the project is similar to Kidex, it is a big no,” he said in an interview with BFM’s Breakfast Grille today, when asked if PJD Link would merely be a rebrand of Kidex.
Amirudin also clarified that the state has not given its nod for the construction of PJD Link, but that the company managing the development was only granted approval to conduct studies on the project’s social, traffic and environmental impacts, as well as collect public feedback.
“The government allowed the company to proceed with these studies, but the project itself has not been approved. The company is expected to present the findings of the studies to the state for further evaluation,” he said.
Kidex was previously approved for construction in 2013 during Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s time as state menteri besar, but was cancelled two years later during Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s tenureship.
This was after Kidex failed to oblige certain conditions set by the state government.
Striking a golden balance
On a separate issue, Amirudin acknowledged that there are ongoing challenges faced by the state government in striking a “golden balance” between forest conservation and promoting development.
He noted that during his tenure, Selangor has managed to increase its forest reserve from 31 per cent to 33 per cent. However, he also recognised that there are still pressing issues surrounding environmental conservation in the state.
Taking the delisting of Bukit Cherakah as a forest reserve in 2006 as an example, Amirudin explained that the state proceeded with the degazettement process to avoid potential lawsuits.
“There is still a green lung there, but the land has already been awarded to private companies. We can stop the approval for development, but as a responsible administration, I cannot expose the state government to any legal suits.
“We are currently exposed to a RM1 billion lawsuit due to previous agreements,” he said.
Amirudin said he has a responsibility to safeguard Selangor’s fiscal health, but assured that environmental sustainability remains the state’s top priority.
“So, we must strike a golden balance between sustainability and growth,” he said.
On the issue of several quarry operations taking place in the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve, Amirudin assured that the state will shut them down in stages over the next couple of years.
“We will close eight to nine quarries in the next two or three years, and will proceed to close others in stages, with no more than 10 quarries allowed to operate at the same time,” he said.
However, he said it would be impractical to shut down all quarries in the state as construction materials are still required to fuel development.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said special attention will be given to the draft for the Genting Highlands-Hulu Selangor Special Area Plan, which involves the development of 400 acres of land along the Selangor-Pahang border.
Taking the Batang Kali landslide incident earlier this year as a lesson, he said the state administration has become more cautious, and would scrutinise the environmental and public impacts before approving any development projects.
