PUCHONG – The residents’ fight against the contentious Petaling Jaya Dispersal (PJD) Link highway project could see progress, following several lawmakers’ plans to raise the matter at the federal level.
Cyrene Perera, special officer to Subang MP Wong Chen, said Wong is one of several MPs set to look into the concession agreements of PJD Link and refer them to the parliamentary select committee on infrastructure, under the leadership of Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung.
“What MPs can do is look into the concession agreement of PJD Link and bring it to the select committee on infrastructure – which as of now, has not been established,” she said in a press conference after a silent protest at Bandar Kinrara today.
“But once it is, they will bring it to the select committee to see if there are any irregularities with the paperwork and contract approval.
“If there are (irregularities or corruption), then we have grounds to say the project should be cancelled,” she added.
Perera also said the MPs will speak with Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, to raise their concerns about the concession agreements.
Nonetheless, she urged residents to push their respective assemblymen to object to the development, even though the project received the green light from the previous federal government.
Meanwhile, Selayang MP William Leong said that several MPs have already voiced their objection to PJD Link and will proceed to engage with the unity government to stop the project.
He added that a meeting is set to be held with the Transport Ministry and Public Works Ministry, as he said matters involving this project fall under their jurisdiction.
Leong, who also participated in the protest, said the MPs want to appeal to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as well, claiming that the “Malaysia Madani” concept requires both the federal and state governments to repeal the PJD Link concession.
The PKR treasurer-general opined that privatisation brings more harm than good, citing advice from institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank against public-private partnerships (PPP).
“PPPs cause social inequality and create more poverty. We think Malaysia is good as everyone has vehicles. But they are not rich, they require cars to get to work because the public transportation systems do not work,” he said, garnering cheers from the protesters.
He added that the aforementioned ministries and the state government should “get their act together” and improve public transportation systems.
The protest also received support from former Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, who said that the protesters are not against development – granted it improves the locals’ quality of life.
As such, she added that elevated highways are not needed, and the government must understand that the people want better public transportation systems.
Also present during the protest were Lee Chean Chung’s aide, and Damansara MCA chairman Tan Gim Tuan.
Previously, The Vibes reported that disgruntled residents had taken matters into their own hands and created an independent survey to obtain a more balanced perspective on PJ residents’ and frequenters’ opinions on the PJD Link.
Some residents said that their qualms may lead to incumbent state authorities losing their votes in the upcoming elections.
Subsequently, Amirudin said the developers of PJD Link have not received the state’s approval to proceed with the project, as they have not presented any proposals. – The Vibes, April 1, 2023
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