I FULLY understand the frustration and sense of betrayal that the residents feel on the resurrection of the proposed PJD Link elevated urban highway.
A promise was made before the state elections but barely six months later, the PJD Link highway is back, alive and kicking.
It is like a nightmare that keeps coming back to haunt the residents.
The fact of the matter is that each time the proponent submits a revision the state government has to deal with it. The residents then have to gather all over again to voice their objections.
This has to end.
So, I call on Amrish Hari Narayanan, the chief executive officer of PJD Link (M) Sdn Bhd, the proponent of the highway project, to instead of continuously revising the project for submission to the state government, come and meet the residents, engage with us.
If you listen to the reasons for the objections and address their concerns, I am sure that a way can be found to solve the issue.
I offer myself to be the bridge between the residents and the proponent. I am the MP for Selayang. I am not the MP for Petaling Jaya but I live in Petaling Jaya.
Therefore, I may not face the same public pressure as my colleagues, Gobind Singh Deo and Lee Chean Chung, the MPs for Damansara and Petaling Jaya, in dealing with this matter. At the same time since I am living in PJ, the interest of the residents will be assured. Address the concerns of the residents.
The residents do not object to the proposed highway without reasons. Instead of using the state government to push through and ride roughshod over the residents, displacing those affected, exposing them to air and noise pollution, and disrupting their economy and business, come and address their concerns.
There is no denying that there is a traffic problem from Damansara to Puchong. In fact, there is a traffic problem on every highway and on every road in Kuala Lumpur and in the state.
Every highway proponent says that his project is part of a master plan. The fact of the matter is that every agency and ministry want to be the master of its own plan. There are more masters than plans.
There is no central agency for the coordination of public transit, town planning and development. The LRT, MRT and public bus transportation are under a different ministry and agency from the highway authority. The LLM has its own master plan. It is to build more toll highways and elevated highways. Town planning and development is under another ministry and agency with plans of their own.
A piecemeal solution of expanding a highway does not solve the problem. The issue is moving people from Point A to Point B. Not moving cars. The cars cannot move on the highways during peak hours, because due to “induced demand” the more highways you build the more cars there will be.
Is there a solution? Let’s look at public transit. Look at the LRT and MRT, there is already a line passing One Utama and Taman Tun Dr Ismail. Can this line be expanded? The MRT can go underground, this is done in Ampang with KLCC. I am sure the people will welcome the business growth and convenience, if there is an MRT with underground stations connecting to the main shopping malls and office buildings from Damansara, PJ and Puchong.
Address the concerns of the highway alignment, must it pass over the mosque, over people’s homes, closing off shopping complexes. I believe feasible alternative alignment can be found.
In conclusion, I call on PJD Link (M) Sdn Bhd, let’s work with the residents, not against them. You will certainly find it more profitable and for the residents, they can look forward to a more flourishing life. Thank you. – January 27, 2024
William Leong is Selayang MP