THE Works Ministry and the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) should explain why the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) project is still under consideration when it was scrapped by the cabinet in April, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran said.
Rajiv said further clarification was also needed from the Works Minister (Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi) why the government needed to pay compensation if the project was shelved.
“The works minister and the AGC should explain why compensation needs to be paid. (Communications Minister) Fahmi Fadzil also needs to explain the U-turn on the project which he had earlier announced was cancelled,” Rajiv said.
Nanta Linggi had reportedly said the AGC was of the opinion that the government may not be able to stop the concessionaire from submitting a claim under Section 71 of the Contracts Act 1950 based on the quantum meruit principle.
Under Section 71 of the Act, a person may be liable to compensate another for work done for his benefit.
By law, the quantum meruit principle allows a person to claim a reasonable sum of money as compensation for work done and services rendered if the amount payable is not stipulated in a contract.
Last week, Selangor Public Infrastructure and Facilities, Agricultural Modernisation and Agro-Based Industry Committee chairman Izham Hashim said the final approval for the project rests with the Selangor Economic Action Council.
Izham said the federal government had asked the project to be reviewed after the concessionaire made improvements to at least five stretches of the highway.
On April 17, Fahmi said the PJD Link had been scrapped by the cabinet after the concessionaire failed to meet six of the 11 conditions.
“The cabinet resolved that there would be no extension of time to meet the remaining requirement precedents. Previously, the company had applied twice for an extension to meet the set conditions. As a result of that failure, the project was not continued,” Fahmi had said.
Rajiv said that they have already rejected it (PJD Link) so there should not be any more discussions.
“Let’s move on. I urge the state government and Putrajaya to start planning and implementing better public transportation. They should also stop relying on private proposals to solve traffic problems," he said.
Rajiv said he had asked the state’s Special Committee on Water Management, Agriculture, Infrastructure, and Mobility (JPK Infragro) to investigate the project.
“I’m seeking access to all documents related to this project,” he said.
The proposed PJD Link is a 25.4km dual carriageway starting after the NKVE toll plaza on the Sprint Highway in Damansara and ending at the Bukit Jalil highway interchange. The project aims to ease traffic congestion and support future growth in the Klang Valley.
The PJD Link developer signed a concession agreement with the federal government on April 5 last year. – July 13, 2024.
