Kidex cancellation brings festive joy and cheer to affected communities

SHAH ALAM: The cancellation of the controversial Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) project by the Selangor government has brought much festive cheer and joy to the affected communities who fought a long battle against the implementation of the project.
Speaking to reporters after presenting tokens of appreciation and gratitude as well as a memorandum to Selangor Mentri Besar Azmin Ali's representative, Sri Muda assemblymen Shuhaimi Shafiei, the Say No to Kidex (SNTK) chairman Dr Mohan Mahatheva said all the affected communities were delighted and appreciated what Azmin had done for them.
"By deciding to cancel the project, it shows that the MB has finally stood up for the people and we really appreciate it very much.
"At the same time, we would like to stress that we are not fighting a corporation nor trying to go against any development, we are merely fighting for our rights because we strongly believed from the start that for any fundamental government development, it is necessary that the affected communities be consulted first," he added.
In addition to thanking Azmin for his decision, the group has also requested that all mention of the project be removed from the Exploratory Report on the Selangor State Structural State Plan 2035 as it is now redundant for the project to be inserted into the draft report following its cancellation.
"Furthermore, it is to ensure consistency of the state's stance against this project and good governance on the state's administration as this draft report is a legal document and removal of any mention of the project will safeguard the rights of the state and more importantly the rights of the people.
"By doing so, it will also ensure the project is terminated with finality and with proper adherence to the rule of law," he said.
SNTK also expressed their disappointment towards the Works Ministry who had over the weekend granted a nine month extension for the project.
"The extension given goes against what its minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof said on numerous occasions, where the approval of Kidex lies with the Selangor government, and the concessionaire Kidex Sdn Bhd will also not be given any further extensions if they fail to comply with the pre-conditions the state government has laid out," Mohan said.
He said SNTK will remain vigilant and continue the fight as they are aware that there may be attempts to revive the project in another shape or form.