After cancellation, MB says Kidex not part of Selangor’s long-term plan
(Malay Mail Online) – The Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) project is no longer part of Selangor’s 2035 structural plan, Azmin Ali announced today following the state government’s cancellation of the RM2.42 billion project.
The Selangor mentri besar had decided on the matter during the state executive council committee meeting two days ago and said there was no need to consider the project at all, since the developer Kidex Sdn Bhd had failed to meet the necessary preconditions required for the approval of the 14.9km highway plan.
“This is in line with the with the state government’s position on the failure of the developer to fulfil the necessary conditions,” Azmin said in a statement here.
“Any development involving the Kidex highway will therefore not be considered for the preparation of the Selangor 2035 state structural plan,” he added, saying that the planned March 10 public hearing on Kidex would also be cancelled.
Earlier this month, Azmin announced that Selangor was cancelling Kidex as the developer had failed to meet by February 14 any prerequisite set by his administration.
The state’s move to cancel 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.
In response, the Works Ministry has said it will have the Attorney-General’s Chambers scrutinise Selangor’s “cancellation” of the Kidex project, saying that only Putrajaya and the highway’s developer are party to the concession agreement.
Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof also said the project has fulfilled all the necessary procedures for approval and was needed to alleviate traffic congestion in the Klang Valley.
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.
