Coalition against PJD Link development seeks Harapan's help
A memorandum opposing the development of the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Elevated Highway (PJD Link) has been handed over to a Pakatan Harapan representative earlier today.
It was submitted by the Coalition Against Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link Highway, led by Sheikh Moqhtar, in the hope that it will lead to an immediate cancellation of the PJD Link Highway...
A memorandum opposing the development of the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Elevated Highway (PJD Link) has been handed over to a Pakatan Harapan representative earlier today.
It was submitted by the Coalition Against Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link Highway, led by Sheikh Moqhtar, in the hope that it will lead to an immediate cancellation of the PJD Link Highway.
In the memorandum sighted by Malaysiakini, the group requested the Harapan presidential council to grant them a meeting for a discussion over the concerns and objections against PJD Link by the people of Petaling Jaya.
This comes after a statement by the Works Ministry on July 5 stating that the cabinet has already approved the PJD Link project on Nov 12, 2017. The approval is however subject to further negotiations.
According to the statement, a concession agreement was signed last April 5, which required the developer to fulfil the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) before the agreement could be effective and construction of the project could begin.
It stated that the proposed project was approved in principle by the Selangor government on Sept 3, 2020, at the Selangor State Economic Action Council (MTES) meeting.
Concerns of the public
At a press conference organised by the coalition yesterday, the memorandum was discussed by some concerned citizens.
Among the concerns that were raised is the potential worsening of traffic conditions in Petaling Jaya.
“The elevated highway which brings in thorough traffic into Petaling Jaya will not solve the traffic congestion, but only worsen the existing traffic conditions pre and post-construction,” claimed Sheikh.
Another concern is the recurring floods affecting the Petaling Jaya area every time a heavy downpour happens.
“Land which was once acting as a water retention area in the 70s and 80s have been reclaimed and approved for the development of a 40-storey high rise apartment and shopping complex in Section 51.
“The levelling of thousands of trees along the highway alignment and the increased intracity traffic, congestion and unabated development in Petaling Jaya are bound to give rise to excessive carbon mission and impact on the environment.
“This clearly goes against Petaling Jaya City Council’s low carbon plan 2030,” he said.
Along with that, citizens are worried about their homes being acquired to make way for a once defunct elevated highway as Sheikh claims that the 34.3km length from NKVE Damansara Toll to Bukit Jalil included on and off ramps.
He stated that some peaceful protests were held by homeowners and families in Petaling Jaya, where mostly senior residents were seen protesting against the PJD Link Highway.
“It is sheer sadness and heartbreaking that residents in the age group of 50 to above 70 years old are holding up banners in the morning heat to ask for civil justice and fairness in Selangor where progressive politics is practised,” he expressed.
Appeal fell on deaf ears
At the press conference, Sheikh stated that the group has tried contacting Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari regarding their concerns, to no avail.
“We wrote an appeal letter on July 13, requesting a meeting with the Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.
“Prior to this, we had also issued a letter on Oct 21, 2020, to the menteri besar. To date, we have not been granted a meeting.
“This mega highway is a thorny and a very controversial topic in Petaling Jaya, and the continued silence from the menteri besar is not good,” he said.
Sheikh is concerned that the PJD Link would be a repackaging of the Kidex project, scrapped in 2015 by then menteri besar Azmin Ali under the previous Selangor Pakatan Rakyat administration.
On Jan 28, 2021, Amirudin stated that it would be “unfair” for critics of the proposed PJD Link highway to equate the project to the previously scrapped Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex).
While he acknowledged that people want to live in a peaceful area, transportation accessibility and connectivity are also important.
“I am sure it is not easy, but I hope we can be rational. Who does not want to stay in a calm, quiet, traffic-free area?
“But if we live like that while at the same time the entire transportation ecosystem is disrupted? We have to be fair to everybody,” he added.
Sheikh said he hopes that the memorandum handed over to Harapan will lead the state to work out holistic transportation blueprints with the federal government, community leaders and stakeholders to improve the list and last mile connectivity.
“The people of Petaling Jaya voted on the assurance of Harapan lawmakers that this highway will not make its return after GE-14 vis-à-vis the Harapan election manifesto of no tolled highway,” he added.
