KUALA LUMPUR – Despite its suspension, the proposed Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link Expressway (PJD Link) continues to face resistance from residents of Kota Damansara and Kg Sg Kayu Ara, who argue that the project does more harm than good.
In response to assertions made by Bandar Utama residents in favour of the PJD Link project, the protesting residents stressed the need for those unaffected to refrain from intervening.
Fauziah Rozali, a Kota Damansara resident, expressed frustration over relentless construction in the area, causing housing structures to shake and inflicting unnecessary noise pollution.
“We are constantly subjected to construction noise, and our buildings often shake due to these intense construction activities. I’m fed up with these unnecessary constructions that have turned our lives into a living nightmare,” said the 67-year-old restaurant owner.
“The residents of Bandar Utama should mind their own business in this matter, as they have no idea what’s happening here. We protested for a reason, and if the PJD Link is revived, we will continue to protest and fight against this initiative until our last breath.”
Seshthari Krishnapan echoed similar sentiments, contending that the proposed PJD Link development does not benefit Kg Sg Kayu Ara residents.
Seshthari underscored the disparity between Bandar Utama and Kg Sg Kayu Ara, highlighting the lack of advantages the project would offer to the latter.
“The people of Kg Sg Kayu Ara are not as privileged as the people of Bandar Utama, and we don’t own two to four cars like them. Most of them are wealthy, and they won’t understand our perspective, so they have no right to comment on our problems.”
“The PJD Link does not serve any purpose for our community, as most of us belong to the B40 category. The state government is not going to provide job opportunities through this project. Most of the construction work, such as the ongoing MRT 3, is being given to foreign workers from Bangladesh and Indonesia.”
Zulkarnain Funawar chimed in, asserting that new highways would not alleviate vehicle traffic in Kota Damansara but instead contribute to congestion.
“The people of Kota Damansara face heavy traffic every day, despite having access to many highways.
“Personally, I believe that highways actually contribute to more traffic congestion, as everyone tries to use them and overcrowds them with their cars,” he said.
Former Sg Buloh MP Sivarasa Rasiah advocated for urban planning that emphasises public transportation over overhead highways.
The PKR politician stressed the need for federal and state governments to prioritise public transit and focus on enhancing access to current train lines.
“The real solution is at the federal highway planning level. Public transport, not private tolled highways, must be prioritised,” he told Scoop.
“First-mile and last-mile access to current train lines must be prioritised. Highways should be kept at intercity levels and built with the minimum of environmental damage.”
The proposed 14.9km PJD Link Expressway connecting the Damansara-NKVE interchange to Bandar Kinrara continues to spark impassioned debates following its recent suspension by caretaker Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. – August 11, 2023