KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 – Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced today that the government has decided to discontinue the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) project. This decision comes after the developer failed to fulfill the conditions precedent outlined in the concession agreement (CA) necessary for the agreement to take effect. Fahmi explained that the Cabinet declined the developer’s request for an extension to fulfill several conditions precedent, leading to the project’s termination. He revealed that out of the 11 conditions precedent, some remained unmet, despite previous extension requests from the developer.
The PJD Link project, proposed as a 34.3km dual-carriageway expressway, aimed to alleviate traffic congestion by providing an alternative route to the heavily trafficked Lebuhraya-Damansara Puchong (LDP). It was designed to connect various fast-growing townships, spanning from Bandar Utama to Bukit Jalil. Approved by the previous federal government in April 2022, the project faced opposition from residents along the proposed alignment. A survey conducted revealed widespread disagreement with the project due to concerns about noise and air pollution, as well as doubts about its effectiveness in reducing traffic congestion.
In response to the lack of transparency surrounding the project’s conditional approval, a residents group called “Say No to PJD Link” filed a lawsuit in June 2023 against relevant authorities to obtain classified documents. With the government’s decision to discontinue the project, concerns regarding its environmental and social impacts, as well as issues of transparency, are addressed. The announcement reflects a commitment to prioritize public welfare and adherence to regulatory procedures in infrastructure development initiatives.
