Kidex to go on, says Khalid
(The Rakyat Post) – All quarters must give priority to the people’s interests when dealing with development projects and not criticise for the sake of politics.
Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said they should consider and study briefings given by the parties involved in development projects before urging the Selangor government to stop building infrastructure.
“Its good for us to hear the briefings of planning to solve the traffic congestion today and in the next 20 years.
“As a professional, I can’t decide on impulse and political thinking but must take into account the people’s interest,” he said responding to a statement by Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo who criticised Khalid for wanting to continue the construction of Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) in Petaling Jaya.
Khalid reiterated he would continue the construction of Kidex and would not pay heed to demands from any quarters including Gobind, to stop the project.
Meanwhile, earlier, Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof said that the approval to begin construction of the Kidex will only be given once the federal government is satisfied that all conditions have been fulfilled by concession company.
Fadillah noted that the company has 12 months from the signing of the concession agreement on Nov 15, 2013 to fulfill certain conditions as stipulated in the document.
“Among the conditions the company has to fulfill are to show it has the financial capability to construct the expressway and it is required to get
public feedback by conducting a public opinion survey on the proposed expressway,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Fadillah said the ministry would closely monitor the progress of the matter and all parties are advised to continue their consultations and discussions in an objective manner.
Kidex Sdn Bhd needs to display information on the proposed development and hold public engagement sessions to get feedback from residents in affected areas before progressing with the expressway project, he added.
The 26.1km expressway will connect Kinrara and Damansara and help alleviate traffic congestion on Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP) as well as reduce travelling time.
