KUALA LUMPUR – Taman Medan assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin slammed the decision to cancel the Petaling Jaya Traffic Dispersal Link (PJD Link) highway project.
In a TikTok video recently, Afif said there were no alternatives for residents of Taman Medan to deal with their daily traffic congestions.
He questioned if Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung had read the environment impact assessment (EIA), traffic impact assessment (TIA), and social impact assessment (SIA) reports presented by the project developers.
“I don’t think Lee has read any of the EIA, TIA, SIA reports. These reports were approved by the federal government last November, and the traffic congestion in Taman Medan and Petaling Jaya is a serious issue.
“Unfortunately, the government has not provided any alternatives. No public transportation or road expansions have been provided, and we have to face these congestions every day.
“The PJD Link was proposed to solve these ongoing problems. Where are the other alternatives? If Lee had read the SIA provided, more than 68% of the residents in Taman Medan support this project, which is not a small minority.
“Moreover, more than 50% of the population in Petaling Jaya supports this project. I’m not denying that there are those who are against it, but we have to consider the development from a holistic perspective. This project will bring more benefits to the residents of Taman Medan,” said Afif on his TikTok platform.
Afif also emphasised that the PJD Link will boost business, enhance Taman Medan’s connectivity, and ease congestion by eliminating shortcuts via Jalan Sri Manja, Jalan Templar, and Jalan Gasing for travellers from Puchong heading to Kuala Lumpur or Damansara.
Meanwhile, Afif said that there are rumours that the compensation amount the government has to pay the developers could exceed RM100 million since the project was already approved earlier.
“Since the project brings a lot of benefits, that’s why 68% of the residents support this initiative. It’s not right for Lee to say that I wish to lead the people of Taman Medan to poverty because this project is financed by the private sector.
“This is a concession project; it’s true that we have to pay toll, but we have an option, to either use the Taman Medan road or use the toll via PJD Link, and no one will be forcing us.
“Unfortunately, with the cancellation of the PJD Link, I have been hearing rumours that the government should compensate the developers.
“The project was not constructed and it was cancelled, and Lee is happy that the project has been cancelled. But I have heard rumours that the cost the government has to bear today is approximately RM100,000,000 if the developers demand it from the federal government.
“Who is going to pay the RM100,000,000, Lee? It’s us, the taxpayers, and public money will be used to pay the compensation to developers because of the project’s cancellation. In the end, the public doesn’t get any benefit, and the government’s debt increases, and they have to pay the developers,” Afif added.
Last year, PJD Link Sdn Bhd signed an agreement with MCC Overseas (M) Sdn Bhd for project financing in the amount of RM 922 million.
The PJD Link, with 11 interchanges, would have connected Bandar Utama to Bukit Jalil as a means to disperse traffic and reduce congestion within Petaling Jaya.
The cancellation of the PJD Link was announced by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, also the spokesperson for the unity government, on April 17, citing the project developer’s failure to meet six of the 11 conditions set. – April 21, 2024