PETALING JAYA – Residents of Taman Medan are preparing to submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, urging the government to reconsider its decision to cancel the Petaling Jaya Traffic Dispersal Link (PJD Link) project.
Representative Mohd Razali Abdullah said that the memorandum, seeking the continuation of the project, will be delivered this Wednesday (April 24).
“Taman Medan faces chronic congestion, particularly during peak hours, as it serves as a thoroughfare for residents from Shah Alam and Puchong commuting to Kuala Lumpur,” Razali said.
“So we are appealing for this project to continue, for the long-term benefit. House development projects (around Taman Medan) are increasing, but there’s no road infrastructure, which causes severe traffic congestion.
“The decision to cancel the project is not in line with the majority of 60% of Petaling Jaya residents who wanted the project (to go on),” he told a press conference today.
The decision to scrap the project, announced on April 17, has sparked dissatisfaction among residents, who argue that it contradicts the preferences of the majority, with 60% of Petaling Jaya residents in favour of the project’s continuation, Razali said.
Razali added that a study carried out by the developer showed that the community surrounding the affected area in the project wanted it to be implemented immediately to curb the ongoing traffic issue, since the major road in front of the residential area is often used as a shortcut by outsiders, contributing to the problem.
“Severe traffic congestion is not new. We’ve been going through it for more than 10 years. (But) until when must we face this problem? Imagine if you wanted to send your child to a nearby school… It’ll take about one hour to get there!
“The survey conducted by the developer showed that 60% of the residents agreed that the project is the only way to solve the traffic congestion issue.
“There is no other alternative. (Therefore), we also ask that this matter not be politicised by any party,” he said.
On April 17, Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who is also the unity government’s spokesman, said the decision to cancel the project was made after the concessionaire failed to meet six out of the 11 conditions set.
Based on the proposed plan, PJD Link will connect the north and south of Petaling Jaya, which cuts through the north of Petaling Jaya, Bandar Utama, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Taman Datuk Harun, Taman Medan Baru, Taman Sri Manja, Bandar Kinrara and Bukit Jalil Technology Park. – April 22, 2024