KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor Infrastructure and Agriculture Exco, Izham Hashim (Pandan Indah-Amanah) said the Petaling Jaya Traffic Dispersal Elevated Highway (PJD Link) was a beneficial project, but issues related to its alignment needed to be resolved.
Therefore, the solution to the cancelled project is to consider and assess the proposed new alignment, he said.
He said a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) should also be carried out as a scientific method to identify potentially more suitable areas and to implement mitigating measures for the project.
“Through the SIA, we can identify where the objections are and what mitigating steps have been taken. This is the state government’s approach. We do not reject or accept the project based on its name but rather consider whether it is appropriate and beneficial to the people.
“We evaluate everything before making a decision, but the state government does not have the authority to approve it; this is under the federal government,” he said during the Selangor state assembly session yesterday.
He was responding to a question from state opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (Hulu Kelang-Bersatu), who asked about the potential revival of the PJD Link project.
Commenting further, Izham said the matter would be brought to the Selangor Economic Action Council for discussion.
In April, the government cancelled the PJD Link project after the developer failed to meet six out of eleven stipulated conditions.
Previously, it was reported that the cancellation of the highway project could result in taxpayers potentially bearing compensation costs exceeding RM20 million.
However, there is support for the project from nearby communities in Taman Medan, Kinrara, Kg Kayu Ara and Kg Melayu in Petaling Jaya.
Business groups, including Bumiputera contractors, have also voiced their support for the RM4.4 billion project, which is estimated to create approximately 12,000 job opportunities. – July 12, 2024