COMMENT The state government obviously overlooked what happened on May 17 last year at the town hall meeting at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

 

At the session, residents were told by the Kinrara Damansara Expressway (Kidex) that the state government had approved the project and the town hall meeting was a necessary step to amend the State Structure Plan.

 

If one recalls, pandemonium broke lose after this statement was made, which nearly ended in a physical altercation.

 

Firstly, the State Structure Plan never did have the Kidex highway in it and that town hall meeting was not a necessary step to amend the Structure Plan. It had not been called by the state government nor was it required under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (TCPA).

 

Secondly, the exco had given conditional approval to the Kidex highway, in glaring defiance of Pakatan’s declared policy of no toll roads.

 

Of course, later on, this became an issue used as one of the reasons for a no-confidence vote for former menteri besar Khalid Ibrahim.

 

Now suddenly despite clear assurances by the menteri besar that Selangor will not even consider Kidex unless certain conditions are met, it has suddenly found its way in a state document under Section 7 of the TCPA, which is the precursor to an amendment of the State Structure Plan.

 

Who ordered these highways to be put in, especially when the menteri besar had made a statement that the concession agreement must be made public before the state would even consider the highway project?

 

Furthermore, such highways go against the national policy to reduce motor vehicles and increase mass public transportation infrastructure in the Klang Valley.

 

State should get professional advice

 

It is perhaps important for the state government in future to get proper and competent advice in these matters to avoid adverse allegations being made against it.

 

While this was explained as a preliminary feedback matter in the structure plan amendment process, its timing could not have been worse.

 

Be that as it may, it is high time that the state government and all parties deal with Kidex and the other highway project – the Damansara-Shah Alam Highway (Dash) – with cool heads, as this is beginning to look like a popularity contest between the 'Say No to Kidex' and 'we want Kidex' camps, with even the Girl Guide Association getting involved.

 

I have highlighted the legal requirements, policy and planning considerations in my earlier article in Malaysiakini entitled ‘ Transparency on benefits of Kidex needed ’. Suffice to say, not all these requirements have been complied with to date.

 

At the heart of this matter is a simple question: Have all reasonable alternatives been explored to ensure that this is the best use of public land and compulsory to be acquired private land, to meet a lasting and effective solution to traffic congestions problems in PJ with the minimal adverse effect to the population?

 

The answer to this is an emphatic ‘no’! In fact, MBPJ traffic studies do not support the claims being made.

 

Furthermore, such a skyway directly contradicts national policy to reduce cars and replace them with mass public transportation systems over the next 10 years.

 

Once the skyways are built, the land is useless for other future uses to support mass public transportation systems or other public infrastructure.

 

Elevated highway equals bad town planning

 

The truth is, putting an elevated highway in a built-up city is really an admission of poor town and country planning in approving higher density and plot ratios, without adequate infrastructure.

 

The result of this now makes one section of the community suffer for this (the 'say no to Kidex' camp) so that another section eases their suffering (we want Kidex), when in fact, adequate road infrastructure and mass public transportation systems should have been put in first before any development approval is given or at the very least at the same time.

 

There is a logical reason why the relevant law is called the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 and not the Building, Drainage and Street Act 1974. The street and drainage comes first before the building!

 

Even assuming the state government decides that toll highways are necessary as a short-term solution to traffic problems and wishes to approve the Kidex highway, despite the strong and valid objections, a simple and effective “win-win solution” that will address most of the objections would be to put the Kidex highway totally or partially underground, like the Smart tunnel.

 

At the very least, the state government should explore this option and obtain quotations for the real costs involved, rather than simply be content with unsubstantiated claims that it is too expensive.

 

A Smart tunnel-like Kidex highway will not only address most of the residents’ objections but also provide a valuable storm water drain system and reservoir which is vital to mitigate against future risk of flooding in PJ and water shortages.

 

Furthermore, it will provide a valuable utility duct for wet and dry infrastructure. This gives a clear public benefit, not only to certain motor vehicle users.

 

Proposal for a smart solution

 

The Smart tunnel is a world-class piece of engineering and with today’s improved technology, this is very viable solution.

 

From the media reports, the Kidex skyway will cost approximately RM160 million per kilometer, for about 14.7 kilometers, which is a large sum.

 

It may be more than enough to put Kidex underground or partially underground.

 

The Smart tunnel was one of the widest diameter underground tunnels in the world with three decks, of which one was dedicated for storm water and flood water management.

 

In fact, if Kidex is put underground, there is no need to build it as large as the Smart tunnel and this would be substantially cheaper.

 

If the federal government, in its wisdom, saw the importance of the Smart tunnel, so too can the Selangor government.

 

The real benefit here is to protect against flooding in PJ which we can expect will occur as a result of gross overdevelopment and the obvious effects of global warming caused by human neglect.

 

This option should be examined objectively and professionally before any decision is made to approve Kidex.

 

Is it expensive to go below the surface?

 

To date, there is no documentary proof given to MBPJ or the state government that the cost of putting it underground is excessive.

 

In any event, MBPJ can use its sizeable critical infrastructure funds and ISF contributions or impose contributions on new developments to absorb some of the cost.

In fact, a trust fund is already established by MBPJ for many developments along the existing Kidex route, including Section 13 and Section 52.

 

Of course, if this is done it will have to be on the basis of either revenue share model with the concession holder, or some other equitable arrangement to account for public monies used.

 

The state government can also make provision for all development to pay contribution towards upgrade of road transport systems and this is provided for in the law.

 

With the state government’s approval, MBPJ can seek independent costing from the relevant companies with the tunneling expertise to provide information on tunneling cost and technical feasibility, to ensure that all alternative are explored for the best solution for all stakeholders.

 

I believe some tunneling machines are already here being deployed for the MRT works. MMC-Gamuda, I understand, has a world-class machine here which was recently featured in the media.

 

There is no requirement that the toll highways have to be above the ground and from a planning point of view and efficiency in land use, it is best put underground.

 

This will also minimise environmental impact, and air and visual pollution. All possibilities should be explored for the common good of all before a final decision is made.

 

Let cool heads prevail and all parties work together for a fair and just solution beneficial to all.

Part 1: Let cool heads prevail on Kidex

DEREK FERNANDEZ is a former MBPJ city councillor.