KUALA LUMPUR – A survey has revealed that 93.6% of residents living around the proposed Petaling Jaya-Damansara Link (PJD Link) are against having a highway near their homes.
According to a press statement by Say No To PJD Link, the findings of the independent social impact assessment (SIA) for the project indicates that the highway would pose significant problems for residents.
“Therefore, it is crucial for the state and federal governments to listen to the community’s concerns and refrain from approving the proposed highway,” the statement from the group of property owners in Petaling Jaya said.
The group said that 93.6% of the project’s opponents stated their families would be impacted by the project regardless of how long they have stayed in the area and the distance between their homes and the highway.
This independent SIA, the group said, was conducted due to a lack of transparency over the official SIA.
“According to Malaysian law, only the environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required to be shared with the public, while the traffic impact assessment (TIA) and SIA are not.
The statement added that the independent SIA has been officially submitted to the Selangor and Putrajaya headquarters of PLANMalaysia – which is the federal town and country planning department – as well as the Environment Department’s Putrajaya headquarters.
A total of 2,501 individuals residing along the proposed PJD Link participated in the survey, comprising those from various age groups, length of residency in the area, and distance from the project.
The PJD Link would connect Bandar Utama to Bukit Jalil, as a means to disperse traffic and reduce traffic congestion in Petaling Jaya.
According to PJD Link’s website, the highway will have 11 interchanges that connect with other highways such as the Federal Highway, SPRINT, New Pantai Expressway, and Kesas Highway. – The Vibes, May 21, 2023
