Opinion

What is the works minister’s stand on PJD Link? – Scrap Highway

Petaling Jaya, any other city’s objectives should be geared towards having low carbon footprint

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 03 Jul 2022 10:00AM

What is the works minister’s stand on PJD Link? – Scrap Highway
To achieve having a low carbon footprint, there should be no highways, but instead a better public transport system. As our works minister, what were you thinking when you made public three new highways for the Klang Valley? – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, July 3, 2022

WE, the residents of Petaling Jaya, along with Taman Medan, and Kinrara, would like to appeal to you, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, to listen to our grievances.

Petaling Jaya, or any other city’s objectives and aspirations, should be geared towards having a low carbon footprint. To achieve this, there should be no highways, and instead it should have a better public transport system.

Sir, this is non-negotiable, as severe climate changes and global warming events have caused extreme incidents, among them, flooding. Haven’t we suffered enough damage?

In many global practical city designs, a well linked outer ring road is crucial. Our nearest example is the MRR2, or ORR.

If our MRR2 was better inter-connected, improvement in last mile design and buildings’ connectivity will ensure practical and cost-saving city living. This allows reduction of cars, and maximising urban public transport.

As our works minister, what were you thinking when you made public three new highways for the Klang Valley?

Yesterday, at the No PJD Link peaceful assembly in Petaling Jaya, many residents from 20 resident associations gathered in strong protest over your totally unacceptable remarks.

Even Masjid Bulat’s management is extremely insulted by your comments, that PJDL Highway was “in principle approved”. Do you know that it encroaches mosque land?

Sir, Petaling Jaya Maria Chin Abdullah asked: “Who gave the approvals? We need you to explain transparently, what transpired in the approval process?”

If we remember, former Say No to Kidex members met you before, and when Kidex was cancelled. Why is this PJDL Highway allowed to be pushed through? Would you build a similar highway in your home state Sarawak?

Now, based on the Town Country Planning Act (TCPA) 1976, the government owes the rakyat the decency for well-being, hence a guiding policy where the state can improve the living environment with proper landscape.

Will bulldozing through an old city like Petaling Jaya add value, and comply with TCPA 1972? No, certainly not! 

Sir, for us grieving poor citizens, with all these continuously broken promises, wrong governance, coupled with sky high prices, we surely will know how to vote come election time.

We urge you to come clean now and do the right thing. – The Vibes, July 3, 2022

Michael Kum is Section 20 Petaling Jaya RA secretary and a representative of the Scrap Highway team

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