Post Kidex, Azmin to meet Works Ministry on Selangor’s public transport

(Malay Mail Online) – Selangor Mentri Besar Azmin Ali will meet Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof next week to discuss Selangor’s public transportation system, after the state government’s cancellation of the RM2.42 billion Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) project.

Azmin told reporters that the minister had sent in an official request for a meeting to discuss the matter.

“Based on his letter, he has acknowledged the cancellation of the (Kidex) project; Works Ministry wants to look and discuss on the entire infrastructure of public transportation,” Azmin told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby here.

But Fadillah said Azmin has yet to send in a formal response to his request.

“Still waiting for the Selangor MB’s reply to my letter,” the minister told Malay Mail Online when contacted.

Last month, Azmin announced the cancellation of the Kidex highway, saying that the project is no longer part of Selangor’s 2035 structural plan.

The state’s move to cancel the RM2.42 billion highway project came after Selangor residents held a protest in January against Kidex and the Damansara-Shah Alam Highway (Dash) highway project.

In response, the Works Ministry 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.

Fadillah 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.