PJD Link developer says studying requests for alignment review

An artist’s impression of the proposed PJD Link highway which would have passed through parts of Petaling Jaya. (PJDLink pic)

PETALING JAYA: The developer of the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) project says it is studying requests for a review of the highway’s alignment, following the government’s announcement that it had decided not to proceed with the project.

In a statement, PJD Link (M) Sdn Bhd said it was waiting for official notification of the matter, and that it believed the RM4.4 billion project remained viable and would have “vast economic spillovers that will benefit many”.

“It is projected to provide an estimated 12,000 jobs and generate RM31 billion in total economic output.

“We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to address any misconceptions surrounding PJD Link and engage in ongoing discussions about this vital infrastructure project,” the company said.

Yesterday, unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said that the government’s decision followed the concessionaire’s failure to fulfil six of 11 conditions set by Putrajaya.

However, PJD Link said that the unfulfilled conditions were due to the conditions precedent taking longer than expected because of the project’s complexities.

“The project, which is owned by the federal government through the works ministry, had already gone through detailed scrutiny by all relevant ministries and regulatory bodies.

“These concluded with the approval of the environment impact assessment, traffic impact assessment, and social impact assessment reports.

“We will continue to work alongside the relevant government agencies, including the federal and state, to see how this project can be viable for the people of Selangor and the greater Klang Valley as well,” the company said.

The highway would have connected the north and south of Petaling Jaya, passing through Petaling Jaya Utara, Bandar Utama, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, the Petaling Jaya city centre, Taman Dato’ Harun, Taman Medan Baru, Taman Sri Manja, Bandar Kinrara and Bukit Jalil Technology Park.

The proposal for the highway’s construction was approved in principle by the Cabinet in November 2017.

In September 2020, the state government also approved the project in principle, subject to the receipt of impact assessment reports.

Last year, Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said the state government had decided to scrap the PJD Link project.

He said the impact assessment reports submitted by the developer, particularly the social impact assessment report, were not satisfactory and did not meet certain conditions set by the state government.