I have received a copy of the Order Paper tabled in today sitting of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly which carries a motion tabled by BN ADUN from Permatang under Standing Orders 26, which reads:
“Bahawa Dewan yang mulia ini menggesa Kerajaan Negeri Selangor memberikan kerjasama penuh kepada Kerajaan Persekutuan bagi meneruskan pembinaan Lebuhraya Kinrara-Damansara Expresswat (KIDEX) yang akan membantu kelancaran trafik di pusat-pusat bandar berkaitan.”
It is surprising when BN ADUNs from the coastal area of Selangor tables such motion, expressly supporting KIDEX openly when what is badly needed in Selangor are proper and efficient public transportation system both in rural and urban areas and expressway in rural areas, especially the coastal areas in Selangor, which produces more than half of the 12 UMNO ADUNs in Selangor.
What is actually needed is an motion from Permatang to push the Federal Government to explain the delays in commencing construction works on West Coast Expressway (WCE) which was already launch so many times in the past, the latest being the one during Teluk-Intan by-election approximately one year ago, in which I am very sure that such motion could be passed by the House.
Selangor State has put up three major pre-conditions on KIDEX that the concessionaire must:
- Prepare an independent TIA, SIA and EIA report, which must produce facts and figures that prove the worthiness of KIDEX compared to any adverse effect it may cause;
- Reveal the toll rate during the concessionaire period including any toll hike during the same period, information on total toll collected, ROI etc.; and
- Reveal the content of the concession agreement.
It is the failure of the concessionaire to comply with these three major pre-conditions that the state government has decided not to extend the land acquisition notice, which is the first paramount step to facilitate the construction of the elected highway.
Subsequent independent studies conducted by the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council also disputes the myth that KIDEX will be able to resolve traffic congestion in Petaling Jaya. The independent consultant tasked with studying KIDEX also states that Malaysia does not have a highway master plan which would enable authorities to determine whether or not a highway project would be feasible and in line with existing highways.
It does not augurs well for the Federal Government’s commitment in improving public transportation in Klang Valley if what the Federal Government interested in is only about cutting through the heart of our cities with more expensive elevated expressways.
Perhaps it is necessary for me to remind Honourable Member from Permatang, whose party is running the Federal Government, that the Federal Government has a programme named Government Transformation Programmes with one of the seven National Key Results Area (NKRAs) is to improve urban public transport
A quick check from Performance Management and Delivery Unit’s website reveal the following and I quote:
“Greater Kuala Lumpur’s population is expected to reach 10 million by 2020, comprising nearly a third of Malaysia’s current population. Moreover, the growing trend of private vehicle ownership will continue if there is no viable alternative, i.e. an efficient UPT, put in place.
– See more at: http://www.pemandu.gov.my/gtp/Improving_Urban_Public_Transport-@-GTP_2@0_Improving_Urban_Public_Transport.aspx#sthash.8NSsYWtL.dpuf”
This is the opening remark of the NKRA of improving urban public transport in which it underlines the strategy behind this NKRA, that the ownership of private vehicles will continue to grow if there is no viable alternative in place, ie en efficient Urban Public Transportation (UPT).
Therefore, it is totally mind-boggling if one were to compare this opening remark of the GTP with the statement from the Deputy Minister as the two are incompatible views. What is urgently lacking in our vehicle-choking cities in Klang Valley is more public transportations ONLY. In laymen terms, it means more buses, more rapid transits, higher frequency and better efficieny.
Highways and expressways are very much needed in linking up cities previously served by trunk roads. That is why the people of Selangor and Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives did not object when the Federal Government commenced and finished the construction of Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Selangor Highway (Latar) from 2008 to 2011.
When the government announced its plan to construct West Coast Expressway from Taiping to Banting, it does not face much objections from the people of Selangor as we believe that the highway will relieve traffic congestion along Klang – Sabak Bernam Federal Road 5 while boasting tourism and economy activities along the coastal areas of Selangor.
However, the same cannot be said on KIDEX and many other highways that are cutting through the hearts of major cities in Klang Valley. Constructing more highways will only translate into growing ownership of private vehicles and it defeats the noble purpose of the GTP to improve usage of public transportation.
It is deplorable for the Federal Government to sign concession agreements with KIDEX as it is not only a betrayal to the people but also a betrayal to its own transformation programme – the GTP itself!
It is disappointing when BN ADUNs in Selangor do not even dare to raise anything related to WCE when it should have been their priority instead of KIDEX.