KUALA LUMPUR – It is erroneous to claim that “everyone” objects to the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) until more thorough research of the proposed elevated highway is conducted, said former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan.
Speaking on his Keluar Sekejap podcast, Shahril, who was discussing the proposed highway with co-host and fellow ex-Umno leader Khairy Jamaluddin, noted opposition from Petaling Jaya residents to the project and support from Taman Medan and Bandar Utama residents.
He said Petaling Jaya residents were concerned about how the elevated highway would affect their quality of life in years to come and were therefore against it.
“We must conduct more thorough research, but to say that no one wants PJD Link, I am unsure if it is true. Some may want it, and some are concerned,” he said.
“We know inhabitants around Petaling Jaya are not as supportive, but those in Taman Medan and Bandar Utama are.
“Even the MB (Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari) has said there are those who support and want the PJD Link.”
Shahril said those against the highway’s construction would question the absence of public transportation services, among other concerns.
The Selangor government scrapped the PJD Link before the state election in August last year, but it is understood that PLAN Malaysia Selangor has approved the project’s social impact assessment (SIA).
Amirudin has said that the developer’s SIA states support for the highway from Taman Medan and Kinrara residents, while Petaling Jaya residents opposed it.
Because of divided opinion, he said the developer could realign the highway to avoid passing through areas where residents reject it – but this would mean renegotiating with the federal government which had approved it in principle.
Last week, Selangor infrastructure and agriculture exco Izham Hashim told Scoop the proposed highway has not been cancelled but is delayed as the state government waits for information from PJD Link about revised plans for the alignment.
The PJD Link, with 11 interchanges, would connect Bandar Utama to Bukit Jalil, as a means to disperse traffic and reduce traffic congestion within Petaling Jaya. – March 1, 2024