An international review of the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) has found that the proposed highway would be too close to schools, exposing them to health risks.

 

This, according to the NGO Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (Elaw), would expose children to airborne pollutants and leave them with breathing difficulties.

 

It cited a 2007 study of 3,677 children in California that was published in the prominent medical journal The Lancet, which found that children living within 500 metres of a highway have "substantial deficits" in lung function compared to those who live at least 1,500 metres away.

 

Kidex is to run within five metres of two schools, which are SK Sri Petaling and SMK (L) Bukit Bintang – both in Petaling Jaya.

 

In announcing Elaw’s findings, resident group Say No To Kidex (SNTK) committee member Mak Khuin Weng (right) said the report vindicates local NGOs.

 

"It bolsters claims by residents that the basic idea of building an expressway over the top of established communities is flawed and risks serious health, social, environmental and other adverse impacts, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and the infirm," he told a press conference today.

 

Malaysiakini has contacted Kidex and is awaiting its response.

 

The six-page report was prepared by Elaw staff scientist Mark Chernaik based on a preliminary environmental impact assessment (PEIA) report on Kidex.

It was written on SNTK’s request through another local NGO, Sahabat Alam Malaysia.

Deficiencies in Kidex PIEA

 

It highlights two "serious deficiencies" in the PEIA – an incomplete air quality impact analysis and lack of justification for the Kidex as opposed to other alternatives.

Among others, it said the PEIA focuses on only one air pollutant - carbon monoxide - that fell within limits of the Malaysia Air Quality Guidelines.

 

"Whether worst case carbon monoxide (CO) levels were still well below Malaysian Air Quality Guidelines for CO is not the most important question that an assessment of the air quality impacts of the proposed Kidex needs to answer.

 

"It is more important to answer whether the Kidex would cause ultrafine particulate matter levels and levels of other pollutants, such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide, to impact the health of children," Chernaik wrote.

 

Chernaik also pointed out that the Public Works Department guidelines require highway and road project proposals to show that upgrading existing transport systems would resolve transport problems.

This is in line with international best practices, he said, but the Kidex PEIA only states that there is traffic congestion in the area and a new road is the only way to solve it.

Kidex is a 14.9 kilometre elevated highway, costing RM2.4 billion. It has been purported as an alternative to the frequently congested Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) that shares similar destinations.

Mak said SNTK had yesterday sent a copy of the report to the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Selangor Menteri Besar Mohd Azmin Ali, all Selangor assemblypersons, various federal ministries and agencies, parliamentarians, and residents associations, among others.

'Honour election promises, Pakatan'

A letter accompanying the report urged federal, state governments to ensure that international standards and guidelines on highway projects are adhered to, as highlighted by the Elaw report.

 

It also told Pakatan Rakyat to honour its promise in its 2013 election manifesto to abolish tolled highways by rejecting the Kidex project.

 

"Should Pakatan Rakyat wish to consider tolled highways, they should table a new manifesto for the next election and specifically point out that the abolishment of tolled highways is no longer on the agenda.

 

"There shall be no negotiation on this requirement, as Pakatan Rakyat must uphold its principles," said the letter signed by SNTK co-chairperson Tan Yew Leong.

JAKE CARTER is a trainee reporter at Malaysiakini .