By Danial Dzulkifly
SELAYANG, April 7 — Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari has reiterated that his administration will not support the proposed Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) project unless it is realigned to satisfy all stakeholders.
He said the developer needs to consider a realignment of the highway to avoid areas where local communities have expressed their disapproval.
“The concessionaire has to deal with and ensure a good alignment that satisfies everyone. For the state government, we understand there are some concerns.
“Take Puchong for example. Residents want to alleviate traffic congestion there. However, the developer must also respect the position taken by the public in certain other areas that oppose the project.
“That’s why our suggestion is to avoid these areas that have opposition, while still accommodating areas like Kinrara, whose residents have expressed support,” he told reporters after giving out Hari Raya donations sponsored by Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) to low-income Sungai Tua residents at Masjid Selayang Baru, here, yesterday.
Amirudin said the state government is also open to holding discussions and negotiations with the project developer.
“It’s not about scrapping the entire alignment. Every section of the highway has its own considerations, and we have to accommodate and continue explaining.”
When asked on Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung’s suggestion for the Federal government to declassify the concession agreement for PJD Link, Amirudin said the matter is solely under Putrajaya’s jurisdiction.
The Menteri Besar, however, reiterated that the state government is always willing to engage with communities along the proposed alignment to see to their concerns.
Previously, just a couple of weeks ahead of last August’s state election, Amirudin announced that the Selangor government had rejected the project due to the developer’s failure to fulfil conditions set by the state administration.
Meanwhile, a social impact assessment report on the proposed highway, which was submitted after the state polls concluded, revealed that the majority of those in areas like Puchong and Taman Medan had expressed support.
However, it received over 80 per cent opposition in Bukit Gasing and some other zones within the Petaling district.
On February 24, Amirudin advised the PJD Link developer to consider realigning the highway to avoid areas where communities oppose its development, and that the government would not support its current alignment if no changes are made.
