A GROUP of Kinrara residents held a street protest to reiterate their objections against the proposed Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) Highway project.
The group of about 10 persons held banners and chanted “No to PJD Link” on Saturday (Feb 22) morning at the intersection of Jalan Puchong and Jalan TK 7 in Puchong.
Bandar Kinrara 1 resident Chandran Arjunan said the community is against having PJD Link built due to its potential impact on the area’s traffic, environment and residents’ safety.
“The proximity of the highway’s alignment could affect the safety of schoolchildren, Hindu temple worshippers and more than 700 residents living in Bandar Kinrara 1,” said the 73-year-old.
Chandran said Gerakan Menentang Penilaian Impak Tebuk Atap (Gempita) had previously organised two protests - in April 2023 and April 2024 - in Kinrara, all to voice objections and express disappointment on how the Federal and state governments are handling the project.
PJD Link is a proposed 25.4km dual-lane elevated highway connecting Damansara to Kinrara in Selangor.
In July 2023, Amirudin announced the cancellation of PJD Link, stating that the project did not meet the conditions set.
In April 2024, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that the project had been discontinued as its developer failed to meet six out of 11 conditions set by the government.
However, in July 2024, Selangor infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim announced during the state assembly sitting that PJD Link was among seven highways in consideration in the state.
Representatives from action group Stakeholders cum Residents Against PJD Link (ScRAP), non-governmental organisation Persatuan Petaling Jaya Lestari and affected residents learnt about PJD Link’s revival following a press conference by Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung in November 2024.
Gempita spokesperson Dhanaraj Arumugam expressed disappointment that Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han has not stated his stand on the issue, although Subang MP Wong Chen has asked for a residents’ referendum on the matter.
“I have also submitted a letter to Ng, requesting that his office organise a briefing with the highway’s concessionaire so residents can get accurate information on the project,” he said.
“We also disagree with Izham’s comments that people in Kinrara are supportive of the project, when we want its total termination.”
Dhanaraj added in a statement that it was very disheartening to know that the Cabinet had given an opportunity to the highway’s concession holder to submit a new proposed alignment to resolve issues that were deemed to be “problematic” in the earlier version.
“The so-called new alignment is just a redrawing of the old map with some changes that do not bring any real benefit to highway users.
“Lee has said that the final approval for this project would be given by the Selangor Mentri Besar.
“The fact that the highway project keeps being revived is a betrayal of the trust given by the people to the government,” said the Taman Kinrara 7 resident.
Dhanaraj said Gempita was supportive of the four traffic dispersal ideas proposed by ScRAP to replace PJD Link.
The four alternatives, which were presented at a town hall session on Feb 15, included building an elevated highway that goes around Petaling Jaya city using an outer ring road concept.
Dhanaraj said a hunger strike scheduled for March 6 will be held at the Parliament building, following the street protest.
For updates, visit https://www.saynotopjdlink.org/
