DAP has hailed newly-minted Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali for breaking away from his predecessor Khalid Ibrahim on two key development issues in Selangor.

State DAP chief Tony Pua said Azmin is setting out conditions for approval of the controversial Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) construction.

In addition, the MB is also asking for consultations with elected and appointed representatives on the revised Petaling Jaya Local Plan.

Pua said the MB's requirements announced during his visit to Petaling Jaya yesterday augurs well for the rakyat.

"The position taken represents a marked shift in policy-making from the previous administration's top-down 'take it or leave it' approach. ‎

"It shows that the Pakatan Rakyat government is inclusive in its decision-making processes and prioritises the interest and welfare of the people as opposed to vested interest parties," the PJ Utara MP said in a statement today.

Pakatan elected representatives have been at loggerheads with Khalid over his attempt to bulldoze several policies without adequate consultation, burnishing political support for his ouster.

Consult the representatives

Azmin had announced that Kidex Sdn Bhd must make public its concession agreement for the highway public.

It has to disclose the highway's rate of return, including toll rates that would be charged.

The company is also required to carry out a traffic impact study to prove Kidex would have substantial benefit for commuters in terms of reducing traffic congestion and travel time.

Likewise, Pua said Azmin's directives also sent a clear message to Petaling Jaya City Council mayor Alinah Ahmad and Petaling district officer‎ Misri Idris which have kept elected representatives in the dark over the PJ local plan changes.

"He (Azmin) announced that the mayor and the local councillors appointed by the state government, together with the people's elected representatives, must sit down together and agree on the new draft plan in line with the aspirations of the people of Petaling Jaya.

"He emphasised that only when this agreement is achieved, the new draft, with any necessary revisions, shall be presented to the state for consideration and approval," said Pua.

Pua described Azmin's initial positions as "important" steps in restoring public confidence in the Pakatan-led state government.

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