Three Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillors have rebutted Kidex Sdn Bhd's assertion that it has submitted all relevant documents for the approval of the controversial Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex).

 

"Contrary to previous reports quoting Kidex Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Mohd Nor Idrus, it was learnt today that the completed and finalised traffic impact assessment (TIA) report has not yet been submitted.

 

"It will only be sent to MBPJ the end of June 2014," said councillors Lee Suet Sen, Cynthia Gabriel and Tang Fuie Koh in a joint statement yesterday.

 

"Prior assertions by Kidex that all relevant reports have already been handed over to the local authorities, following the aborted briefing on May 16, 2014, are manifestly inaccurate and wholly untrue."

 

Thus Kidex's claim that all documentation had been sorted out was "manifestly inaccurate and wholly untrue", they said.

 

This, the trio said, "vindicated" the MBPJ for not approving the controversial project given the concessionaire has yet to furnish all necessary information.

 

They added thus far, MBPJ has only received the preliminary traffic impact assessment report, expressing concern over the " spiralling controversies" and moves by parties that "muddied the situation, when basic documents have yet to be submitted".

Independent consultant to be hired

 

"We are further duty bound to announce that (Petaling Jaya mayor) Alinah Ahmad had this morning (Saturday) confirmed that MBPJ shall hire an independent traffic consultant to evaluate the complete TIA report that will be submitted by Kidex Sdn Bhd. 

 

"As policy makers in MBPJ we laud this bold move, as one that is not only necessary to dispel concerns and fears of the impact of the proposed highway, but one that is professional and accountable to rate payers of Petaling Jaya," said the trio.

 

The Kidex highway has faced mounting opposition from residents as it will cut through densely populated areas of Petaling Jaya.

 

It will begin from Damansara in the north and traverse the heart of Petaling Jaya before extending to Kinrara and ending at Bukit Jalil Highway in the south.

 

Despite the controversy, Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim on Friday said while he welcomed critics to oppose the project, his role is to try to explain its benefits.

 

Last month angry residents scuttled Kidex's attempt to hold a town hall meeting , one of the requirements to secure residents' blessings for the expensive project, saying it was not held according to proper procedures.

 

The project is initiated by the federal government but can only proceed with the state government approval as it concerns land acquisition and must also be integrated into the state infrastructure development master plan.

 

To date, Khalid has shown favour towards the project against Pakatan Petaling Jaya assemblypersons and parliamentarian Gobind Singh Deo who strongly oppose the project.

 

They argue that the residents are vehemently against the project and want a better-planned integrated public transport system, as well as the upholding of Pakatan's election pledge to do away with tolled highways.