PETALING JAYA – Residents of Taman Medan have refuted Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung’s claims that the Petaling Jaya Traffic Dispersal Link (PJD Link) would adversely affect local businesses.
Mohd Razali Abdullah, a representative from the community, said that Lee’s assertions on the matter are irrelevant. He pointed out that even without the project, the area already grapples with traffic congestion, yet people from neighbouring areas still visit for their daily needs.
“Even with current congested road conditions, there are still people coming from Damansara stopping by the market here. Imagine if the highway is ready. It’ll be less congested, and many more will come by, and it will revive the local businesses here,” he said at a press conference today.
Lee had voiced concerns on TikTok, suggesting that the PJD Link would isolate Taman Medan, deterring potential customers from stopping by.
“With the existence of this highway, people will not pass through Taman Medan, and it will definitely affect the businesses, especially hawkers, here.
“For me, this decision (the cancellation of PJD Link construction) is the most appropriate, and at the same time, it can empower public transport, which will improve Petaling Jaya residents’ quality of life,” he said in a video.
Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya Community Association chairman Mohd Yusri Ramli said that most residents in the area were surprised by the project cancellation, especially since the concessionaire had received approval in terms of environment, traffic and social impact studies.
“PJD Link is the best alternative to reduce road congestion in Taman Medan, and even the environmental and social impact, as well as traffic reports regarding the construction, have also been approved.
“Residents (around the area) really needed this highway because it will reduce traffic congestion, (especially) when people are coming from Shah Alam, Damansara and Puchong.
“These groups can use PJD Link if they want to go to Kuala Lumpur without having to go through Taman Medan,” he said.
However, concerns arise as the government faces a hefty RM100 million compensation to the concessionaire due to the project’s cancellation, initiated four years ago.
“If the project is cancelled, the government has to pay compensation to the concessionaire. Whose money will be used to pay this compensation? The people’s money. We want to defend the rakyat’s rights, but the rakyat’s money is being used.
“We can no longer deal with road congestion (in the area). It is getting worse every day.”
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.
On April 17, Communications 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