Let Kidex be a lesson that Selangor is ‘for the people,’ MP tells firms

(Malay Mail Online) – The Selangor government’s cancellation of a controversial highway project is evidence the administration will always prioritise residents over corporations, the MP representing Petaling Jaya Selatan said today.

Trumpeting Selangor Mentri Besar Azmin Ali’s announcement that the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) has been cancelled for failing to meet prerequisites by a Valentine’s Day deadline, PKR MP Hee Loy Sian lauded the decision as “both fair and firm”.

“Let this be a lesson to those who wish to do business in the nation’s richest state.

“The Selangor PR (Pakatan Rakyat) government is by the people, of the people, for the people. The PR leadership will always keep the people and the state interests at heart,” Hee said in a statement today.

Hee, who is among PR lawmakers urging Selangor to block Kidex due to opposition by residents groups, later thanked Azmin for the decision.

This morning, the mentri besar announced that Selangor was cancelling Kidex as the developer failed to meet any prerequisite set by his administration by February 14.

He noted that Kidex did not disclose various reports for the project such as a traffic impact assessment, a social impact assessment and an environmental impact assessment, besides failing to reveal the toll rates and full concession agreement.

“The same approach will be used to consider the applications of approval for other highway projects under the purview of the Selangor government,” he added.

The cancellation of the RM2.42 billion highway project came after Selangor residents held a protest last month against Kidex and the Damansara-Shah Alam Highway (Dash) highway project.

An independent review of Kidex by MDS Traffic Planners and Consultants showed last month that the project suffered from a poor planning process between various government levels, besides highlighting concerns of the highway encroaching homes and public buildings like schools and hospitals.

Among the areas that could be affected by the Kidex project are Tropicana Mall, SS2 Mall, Rothman’s traffic lights, Section 14, Amcorp Mall, Hilton, Petaling Jaya, Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital, Jalan Templer roundabout, Taman Datuk Harun, Taman Medan Baru and Bandar Kinrara.