Frustrated by what they see as a lack of response from both the federal and Selangor state government regarding the construction of two controversial highways in the heart of Petaling Jaya, groups opposing the highways are set to stage a rally next week .

 

Say No To Kidex and Say No To Dash have obtained police permits to hold a two-hour rally at Dataran Petaling Jaya on Jan 25 at 10am.

 

The Kinrara Damansara Expressway (Kidex) and Damansara Shah Alam Highway (Dash) both run close to huge residential areas in the heart of Petaling Jaya.

 

Despite consistent objections to the highways, the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor state government is yet to take any definitive action to alter the alignment of the highways or to disengage from the projects started by the federal government.

 

"Neither the Works Ministry nor the Selangor state government have at any stage addressed the numerous concerns raised by the people.

"They instead continue to pass the buck to each other on who is responsible in approving and cancelling the project," Say No To Kidex representative Mak Khuin Weng said today.

 

He added that the two groups had sent 3,000 signatures opposing Kidex and 5,000 opposing Dash, but the signature campaign too, did not seem to yield any results.

 

"Both the federal and state governments appear insensitive to the objections raised and have become uncaring towards the wellbeing of those affected by these projects," Mak asserted.

 

He had earlier today announced the rally in a joint press conference with Say No To Dash representative Michelle Wong.

 

The Selangor state government's approval of Kidex, which went against Pakatan’s pledge not to introduce tolled highways, was one of the prime reasons in removing Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as state Menteri Besar in 2014.

 

His successor, Azmin Ali, had promised to look into the issue shortly after taking office, but no concrete move has been undertaken by the state to settle the matter with the residents.