A stop-work order on a disputed portion of the Kuala-Lumpur Putrajaya highway has been reversed and construction work is ongoing.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said Works Minister S Samy Vellu informed her about the about-turn about midnight on Wednesday.

"It seems he has changed his mind merely hours after he made a decision to stop construction work," said Kok.

On Wednesday afternoon, Samy Vellu had a meeting with representatives from Taman Sri Petaling who are protesting against a 1.5km six-lane elevated highway from being built in close proximity with their homes.

During the meeting, the residents claimed that the minister ordered the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) to stop construction work, pending investigations by Kumpulan Ikram who are surveying the construction site.

According to Kok, the minister had informed her that Ikram needs to inspect the houses when the construction work is taking place, in order to assess if the construction was the cause of structural damages found in several houses at the site.

Investigations by Ikram began last Thursday. They are expected to submit their report to Kuala Lumpur City Hall as early as Monday next week.

KL Mayor Ruslin Hassan commissioned Ikram to conduct investigations after visiting the site on Oct 6.

Disappointment

Sri Petaling Residents Association vice-president Tan Tai Khong said it was a disappointment that Samy Vellu reversed his decision in such a short period of time.

"As a minister, whatever he had promised should be fulfilled. Going back against a decision in such a manner should not have happened," he said.

The 26 km KL-Putrajaya highway stretches from Kampung Pandan roundabout to Putrajaya.

A portion of the highway cuts through Jalan 2/149 in Bandar Sri Petaling. The four-lane road is being sandwiched between two rows of terrace houses on both sides.