Residents barred from Kidex briefing
That speaks volumes about the transparency of Selangor authorities, says Say No to Kidex
Fabian Comelius, Free Malaysia Today
The Say No to Kidex (SNTK) movement today expressed dismay over the exclusion of the public from the next briefing on the controversial highway project.
SNTK chairman Mohan Mahatheva told FMT it spoke volumes about the commitment of Selangor authorities to transparency in governance.
The meeting, scheduled for June 6, was called by Petaling Jaya Mayor Alinah Ahmad. A report in The Star yesterday quoted her as saying she wanted the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to have a better understanding of the project.
Also yesterday, an aide to the Selangor Menteri Besar said in a Twitter message that it would be closed-door briefing involvingKidex Sdn Bhd, the Malaysian Highway Authority, the Works Ministry, the Town and Country Planning Department, MPs, state assemblymen and Petaling Jaya city councillors.
“The talk about wanting to involve the residents is just a big drama,” Mahatheva said. “The briefing has no residential involvement. This prevents residents from putting forward their questions.”
The Star also quoted Alinah as saying that the Petaling Jaya councillors attending the meeting would be provided only with non-classified documents.
Reacting to that, SNTK committee member Mak Khuin Weng wrote on his Facebook: “Withholding information from councillors are a mockery of the Pakatan Rakyat government as they are not separate entities.”
According to The Star, Alinah also said she would reject the Kidex project only if 90% of Petaling Jaya residents opposed it.
