Protesters hold up placards at the anti-Kidex and anti-DASH rally in Petaling Jaya today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazim, January 25, 2015.Tension ran high at a protest against the proposed Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) and Damansara-Shah Alam Expressway (DASH) in Petaling Jaya today when Selangor state government representatives were not allowed to speak at the event.An argument occurred when the Say No To Kidex (SNTK) protem co-chairman Dr Mohan Mahatheva told off Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua and his group who were about to go on stage to address the 400-over crowd gathered at Dataran Petaling Jaya since 10am.Pua, along with Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo and Subang MP R.Sivarasa, were asked to hold their own forum instead to explain to the residents of Petaling Jaya and Damansara over their "failure" to help stop the projects.In defending their right to speak at the gathering, Pua in a press conference later expressed his regret over what had transpired.“Despite initial agreement to allow us to respond and to allow YB Sivarasa and me to speak, they decided not to let us respond."We regret that as much as there is truth in what they said, there were also half truths and incorrect information," said Pua.He said one of the most commonly exerted "half truth" was the accusation that Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives did absolutely nothing regarding the projects.“Let me also state that at this point of time, there has been no approval given by the state government to Kidex," said Pua.He said the land acquisition caveat, issued during the previous state government under Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had expired and the request to renew the caveat has been denied.Pua added the state government would not approve the Kidex project if it failed to meet with the conditions set by Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali by February 14.“If the conditions are not met, then there will be no highway," said Pua.He said although he appreciated the anti-highway groups' effort in bringing the issues to the state government's attention, there was also "plenty of salt and pepper" being added to discredit the work of PR reps on the matter.“We support their effort... but there were also half truths and lies," said Pua.His remark has apparently angered some of the residents, who were listening to the press conference and demanded him to point out the "lies". Pua responded to this by saying that the "lies" had already been mentioned.Meanwhile, Sivarasa said the Dash issue was more complicated but efforts are being made to address residents' grouses, including possible realignment of the highway at areas deemed too close to their houses.During the protest, both groups (SNTK and Say No To Dash) expressed their frustration over what they described as the failure of the elected representatives from Pakatan Rakyat, training their guns at Azmin for his "silence" on the issue.
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim speaking to the protesters at the anti-Kidex and anti-DASH demonstration in Petaling Jaya today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Mukhriz Hazim, January 25, 2015.Former de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who spoke in front of the crowd, today suggested the groups take both the Selangor government and Putrajaya to court."This is not the time to be afraid. They tell me they do not have money."Do not worry about money, I will find money. If we are not brave, how are we going to bring change? Let's bring (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim), Azmin, (Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) to court."It does not matter if we win or lose. At least we know more," said Zaid.He added that residents must not allow the state government and Putrajaya to take them as fools.“I am from Kelantan but I have stayed in Petaling Jaya for 44 years. This is a stupid crazy project. It was decided by the Cabinet in 2011 without consulting anybody except those who want to make money," Zaid said.He said the Pakatan Rakyat government had reneged on their promise to disallow construction of tolled highways.“Why is Azmin being so difficult? Don’t take us as fools," said Zaid.Kidex signed a concession agreement on November 15, 2013, and was given a year to fulfil conditions required in order to start work. In November last year, it was granted a three-month extension after failing to achieve several requirements.The 26.1-kilometre highway will start from the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) toll above the Sprint highway at the Damansara interchange and end at the Damansara Puchong Highway (LDP) at Bandar Kinrara Section 2.According to the concession company, Kidex could reduce traffic congestion on the LDP by 25% to 30% and on local roads, in areas like Bandar Utama by 10% to 20%.With 12 interchanges, the RM11.5 billion expressway plans to link drivers to Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong and Sprint highways, which residents claimed are already congested during peak hours.DASH will serve motorists from Puncak Perdana, Alam Suria, Denai Alam, Kampung Melayu Subang, Jalan Sungai Buloh, the Rubber Research Institute Malaysia, Kota Damansara, Damansara Perdana and Mutiara Damansara, Prolintas has said. – January 25, 2015
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