Group Reminds Selangor Govt Of Broken Promises On Sustainable Projects

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A group of Selangor residents against the planned construction of the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) highway has reminded Pakatan Harapan of promises made in its 14th general election's Buku Harapan manifesto on sustainable development projects.
Say No To PJD Link said the state government had, contrary to its promises, failed to demonstrate transparency and accountability in the proposed development of the highway project, as well as the degazettement of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNRF).
"We, therefore, demand that the menteri besar and the state government officially rescind the degazettement of the KLNFR and cancel the PJD Link highway.
"Until and unless these are done and officially documented in the State Executive Council minutes of meeting, the rakyat of Selangor will persist to protest against the two plans," it said in a statement today.
"Since Harapan has promised in its manifesto that all development projects must comply with international environmental protection standards before being granted approval, the onus is now on the Selangor government to explain on what basis Gabungan Indah Sdn Bhd has been granted the right to develop the degazetted portion of the KLNFR," the group added. 
On Aug 30, Selangor executive councillor Hee Loy Sian stunned the state assembly when he said 536.7ha of the KLNFR had been degazetted three months ago.
The state government has since come under fire for the delayed announcement, lack of transparency, and for going ahead with the degazettement despite widespread objections.

"With regard to the PJD Link, we recall Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari saying in a January video interview with Malaysiakini that it was 'unfair' to equate the axed Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) with the 'newly' proposed PJD Link.

"In fact, he didn’t just say it was 'unfair', but 'definitely unfair'," the group added.
Selangor exco member Izham Hashim previously confirmed that the state exco had on Sept 30 last year "agreed in principle" to set conditions under which the PJD Link project can be implemented.
The group, however, said the fact that the state government was willing to even consider a highway project similar to the scrapped Kidex, is troubling.
"It would mean any developer who has its proposal rejected by the state government could repackage it in the hope of eventual approval.
"The rakyat feels misled after the said admittance at the state assembly," it said, adding that it was also a waste of public resources.
"On this, we again refer to Buku Harapan which says a Harapan government 'will remain committed to increasing and improving economically sustainable public transportation so that owning private vehicles no longer become a burdening need of the people'," the group said. 

Say No to PJD Link also reminded Harapan of the coalition's criticisms against the then BN federal government for allowing Malaysia's development to take place without regard to environmental protection and sustainability, ignoring the protection of flora and fauna, as well as being dictated by large corporations and their crony capitalists.

Further, it said Harapan had promised to govern based on principles of sustainability and sustainable development and that it will be an environmentally friendly government that takes into account the protection of biodiversity and socio-cultural factors of surrounding communities, especially the indigenous people. - Mkini

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