KUALA LUMPUR – Do not cancel the Petaling Jaya Traffic Dispersal Link (PJD Link) elevated highway without providing alternatives to alleviate traffic congestion in the affected areas, said Amanah Youth vice-chief Mohammad Ammar Atan.
He said an alternative is very much needed, as the traffic problem in Petaling Jaya has been worsening with the increase in population and high-rise housing.
“The federal and state governments need to find an alternative urgently. The people cannot wait years for another solution,” he said in a statement.
Ammar suggested that the bus rapid transit (BRT) project be expanded and linked to other public transportation such as LRT, MRT and KTM Komuter.
Previously, Taman Medan assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin slammed the decision to cancel the PJD Link project, saying there were no alternatives for residents in his constituency to deal with their daily traffic congestion.
He also emphasised that the PJD Link would also boost business, enhance Taman Medan’s connectivity, and ease congestion by eliminating shortcuts via Jalan Sri Manja, Jalan Templer, and Jalan Gasing for travellers from Puchong heading to Kuala Lumpur or Damansara.
Meanwhile, Afif said there was speculation that the compensation the government had to pay the developers could exceed RM100 million since the project was already approved earlier.
Mohd Razali Abdullah, a representative from the Tama Medan community, said the area has been faced with traffic congestion, and people from neighbouring areas still come to the area to shop for their daily needs.
Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya Community Association chairman Mohd Yusri Ramli said most residents in the area were surprised by the project cancellation, especially since the concessionaire had received approval in terms of environmental, traffic and social impact studies.
He highlighted the potential benefits of the PJD Link, drawing parallels with Kuala Lumpur’s highways like DUKE, SUKE and Akleh, which have alleviated traffic congestion to some extent.
Last year, PJD Link Sdn Bhd signed an agreement with MCC Overseas (M) Sdn Bhd for project financing in the amount of RM 922 million.
The PJD Link, with 11 interchanges, would have connected Bandar Utama to Bukit Jalil as a means to disperse traffic and reduce congestion within Petaling Jaya.
The cancellation of the PJD Link was announced on April 17 by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, also the spokesperson for the unity government, on April 17, citing the project developer’s failure to meet six of the 11 conditions set. – April 26, 2024