The argument of Kidex Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Mohd Nor Idrus that Kidex is needed to alleviate the traffic congestion problem in Petaling Jaya is unsurprising.

He represents the project proponent that is motivated by profit.

Highway developers are no different from car manufacturers that are now enticing the people of China with in-car air-purification system just so that they can continue to register record profits at the expense of transformative policies towards sustainable development in the world’s most populous nation.

However, those of us who opposed Kidex, be it residents whose houses will be acquired or worst those whose houses are not affected but will have to live with the consequences of a highway in close proximity, are essentially urging a different model of development.

Some may say that this is motivated by yet another NIMBY (Not in my backyard) syndrome.  

But, really, when are we going to stop putting up more highways to accommodate growing private vehicles ownership?

As long as we continue to use projection of population and vehicle growth to justify the construction of yet another highway, there will be no end to this irresponsible, business-as-usual, oxymoronic policy.

We want equitable policies that will curb further rise in vehicle ownership. We want efficient public transportation. We want a liveable city - not one where the air is so polluted that we will need air purification not only in our house but also in the very machine that pollutes the air.

I, for one, as an affected stakeholder, had said no to the highway in the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) survey conducted door-to-door a few years ago. So, besides the Traffic Impact Assessment that is nonsensically classified as an official secret document, I want the SIA report to be made public.

Socio-environmental crises are emerging everywhere in the world and we need real solutions to save ourselves and leave a liveable planet for future generations.

Many projects are justified in the name of development and Kidex even had the cheek to say the project is of public interest. As a interested entity, Kidex has no right to define public interest for us.

As for the Pakatan-led Selangor government, pay heed to the public discontent and aspirations. Prove to us that you are indeed Harapan Rakyat!