By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Feb 24 — The Selangor government has advised the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) developer to consider realigning the proposed highway to avoid areas where communities reject its construction, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said the state government would not support the proposed highway’s current alignment if most residents are against it.
Amirudin added the project was rejected before the state elections in August last year due to the developer’s failure to submit their Social Impact Assessment report (SIA) on time. However, the report was submitted after the state polls concluded.
“Before the elections, the state government opted not to proceed with the project as the developer had not submitted the SIA. However, post-elections, the developer did so.
“The SIA revealed that while several locations, including Puchong and Taman Medan, were supportive of the project, an overwhelming opposition of over 80 per cent was recorded in certain areas in Bukit Gasing and Petaling, and a mixed response of 50/50 in Bandar Utama.
“When the report was presented, the state government proposed to look into locations that welcomed the project while avoiding areas that rejected it. This could potentially require a realignment and a change in the name of the PJD Link,” he said.
Amirudin was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Selangor Mahasiswa Convention at Mardhiyyah Hotel and Suites today.
Should any changes be made to the alignment, detailed plans must be presented to the relevant Federal ministry and the state government.
“However, negotiations with the Federal government are necessary as the licenses and permits granted involve certain aspects, and the developer must decide whether they are willing to undergo this process,” he said.
Amirudin’s remarks come after a group of residents, who are part of the environmental group Residents Against PJD Link (ScRAP), protested against the highway’s revival at a forum he attended recently.
The Menteri Besar also clarified today that he met with the group last year, along with Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo and Selayang MP William Leong in Parliament, to explain the project’s status.
On July 14 last year, he said the state government would not approve the project if the PJD Link’s alignment resembles the contentious Kinrara-Damansara (Kidex) Expressway, which was scrapped in 2015.
The state administration would only consider approving the PJD Link project if it is satisfied with the findings of studies conducted by the concession company.
