KUALA LUMPUR – Dr Afif Bahardin (Taman Medan-PN) has slammed the Selangor state government and the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) responses to queries about alternative solutions to the Petaling Jaya Traffic Dispersal Elevated Highway (PJD Link) project.
During the state assembly sitting today, Dr Afif highlighted inconsistencies in the government’s answers, particularly concerning the proposed Stormwater Management and Road (Smart) Tunnel as a potential replacement for the cancelled PJD Link.
He noted that media reports have suggested that the Smart Tunnel could solve problems related to traffic congestion and replace the PJD Link.
However, he said the official response on the matter lacked clarity and detail.
“I want to see how unsynchronised the government is. Recently I asked the state government, what is the alternative to the PJD Link?
“In their answer, MBPJ said it would consolidate public services with the continuity of the network of rail, bus and first and last mile mobility and the prioritising of facilities.
“And then they (MBPJ) went on to answer ‘smarter traffic management’. It’s a very generic answer.
“There was no mention of a Smart tunnel, what kind of answer is this? The one who is asking is a state legislative member, not a school teacher. It is not an essay question for the UPSR examinations,” Dr Afif said.
He noted that this was a “serious” question, as the answer included PJD Link being replaced with the usage of e-scooters at pedestrian and bicycle lanes.
“There are not even any pedestrian lanes. What kind of answer is this?
“I don’t know which exco vetted this answer… with due respect, we (assemblymen) prepare questions (for state assembly sittings), please answer more effectively. Don’t answer like this.”
“If MBPJ has any plans, to do a Smart tunnel, and go as far as to mention RM350 million in spending, why didn’t they put the matter in their answer to me?”
During the sitting, he also said residents of Taman Medan are not opposed to using public transport, but find it ineffective due to persistent traffic congestion in their area.
He said that the core problem is that Taman Medan has become a shortcut for commuters from Taman Kinrara and other neighbouring townships. This influx of through traffic worsens congestion, making it difficult for residents to navigate their own neighbourhood.
In response to these challenges, the PJD Link project was initiated to connect seven major highways, offering alternative routes and easing the burden on local roads.
“The PJD Link project has been included and approved in the Selangor State Structure Plan 2035,” Dr Afif added.
On July 4, state infrastructure and agriculture exco Izham Hashim (Pandan Indah-PH) indicated that the PJD Link project is not dead in the water, as the realignment will be tabled before the Selangor Economic Action Council for consideration.
Izham told the Selangor assembly that the six proposed changes, mainly in Petaling Jaya, were drawn up taking into account residents’ objections and certain findings in the original social impact assessment (SIA).
Izham said other proposed highways being considered in the state include the Putrajaya-Bangi Expressway, KL Node, Senawang-KLIA-Salak Tinggi Highway, and Kuala-Lumpur-Shah Alam Highway.
In April, Putrajaya cancelled the contentious PJD Link after claiming the developer failed to fulfil several necessary requirements.
Previously, Scoop reported the cancellation would cost taxpayers in excess of RM20 million as the developer incurred costs for various feasibility studies and approvals since 2016.
The project had courted persistent opposition, largely on the part of more affluent neighbourhoods in Petaling Jaya.
However, there was vocal support for the project from communities in Taman Medan, Kinrara, Kampung Kayu Ara, and Kampung Melayu Petaling Jaya.
Business groups, including Bumiputera contractors, also voiced support for the RM4.4 billion project, which was estimated to create around 12,000 jobs
On May 29, former MBPJ councillor Derek Fernandez clarified that the proposed Smart Tunnel, intended to ease traffic congestion at entry points to the Federal Highway and the New Pantai Expressway (NPE), does not serve as a replacement to the PJD Link.
He explained that the tunnel emerged from traffic issues in Jalan Gasing and Jalan Templer in Petaling Jaya and could also mitigate future flooding incidents, as well as serve as water storage to address future water scarcity challenges.
The Smart Tunnel proposal remains part of the transport infrastructure in the Preliminary Special Area Action Plan designed to solicit discussion from various stakeholders, he said.
Previously, MBPJ Planning Development Department director Lee Lih Shyan said that the proposed 1.98km tunnel would go through Sections 51, 51A, Federal Highway Route 2, and the NPE, and would replace the cancelled PJD Link. – July 9, 2024
