Petaling Jaya Residents Seek Further Dialogue On PJD Link Highway With Selangor Government

09 August PRESS RELEASE - The Chairman of Stakeholders cum Residents Against PJD Link Highway (SCRAP Highway) Mr David Yoong and representatives of Say No To PJD Link Highway and Petaling Jaya Residents Associations were granted an audience by the Federal Works Minister, YB Dato’ Sri Hj Fadillah Hj Yusof at the Parliament building on 2 August, 2022.
 
The delegation of  PJ residents comprising of engineers and professionals, presented their views to the Minister, including concerns on social, economic and environmental impacts of the highway cutting across PJ city.
 
Questions were also raised on PJD Link’s efficacy to relieve traffic congestion in PJ, due to its limited direct connections to other existing highways and public transit stations, and challenges posed to the safe geometric design and constructability of the highway, parts of which will skew sharp turns and swerve past existing buildings at close range.
 
The delegation is now seeking to meet with YAB Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor, Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, the State Executive Council members, and Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi Selangor (MTES) officers who issued an in-principle approval to the developer via their letter dated 3 September, 2020, which in turn reportedly opened the pathway for the signing of the concessionaire agreement between the Federal government and the highway developer.
 
Noting that the proposed PJ Dispersal Link highway is closely replicated after the former Kidex expressway which was cancelled in February, 2015, the delegates are also keen to know if any additional information or mitigation measures have been presented by the developer to convince MTES to issue yet another go-ahead, despite the fact the new highway remains tolled, and no process of open tender was apparent to the public preceding all current negotiations, which appear to be incongruous with Pakatan Harapan manifesto pledges.
 
The delegation looks forward to open dialogues with YAB Menteri Besar and his State government, including proposals to conduct independent transportation planning studies to review if urban highways are appropriate solutions that properly fit the aspirations of Petaling Jaya residents and businesses, as expressed in the sustainable living and low carbon aspirations of the city, as well as the First Selangor Plan RS-1.
 
David Yoong said, “We urge the YAB Menteri Besar and Selangor government to not only solve traffic congestion problems and stimulate the economy, but to adopt longer term sustainable measures that will integrate and harmonize with comprehensive blueprints for generating sustainable economic growth, safer and healthier living conditions and a greener environment.”