ANOTHER BN MONEY-MAKING SCHEME? RM2.42 bil for 5% traffic reduction cannot justify Kidex

In separate statements, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua and Damansara Utara assemblyperson Yeo Bee Yin had taken both Works Minister Fadhilah Yusof and Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) chief executive officer Shaharizuan Shafiei to task for claiming the controversial highway will reduce traffic in Petaling Jaya and Puchong by 20 to 30 percent.

Citing the preliminary Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) report presented to the Petaling Jaya City Council, Pua said Fadhilah’s claim was based on certain roads, out of the total 43 affected by the highway route.

Based on the report, Pua said on average based on the 43 affected roads, traffic congestion would only see a projected reduction of 5.8 percent by 2020 and only 3 percent for 2028 with Kidex.

In some cases, the DAP national publicity chief said traffic congestion would see a spike ranging from 35 (Jalan Barat) to 233 percent (Jalan Bukit Jalil Indah).

Pua said Fadhilah should focus on whether Kidex is worth the price of RM2.42 billion given its low impact on reducing traffic congestion.

"In addition, if Fadhillah really places the interests of the rakyat ahead of the concessionaires, then he should immediately reveal the toll rates to be charged and the rate of return for the highway company as signed in the concession agreement," said Pua, adding that DAP would urge Selangor state government to suspend all approval processes for the highway if the federal government and developer refuse to come clean on the matter.

Meanwhile, Yeo accused Shaharizuan of using ‘creative mathematics’ to derive the 20 to 30 percent reduction in traffic claim, like how sales label was put at window display by retailers.

"Actually, only a few items in the shop are at 70 percent discount. While it works well in retail, it will definitely not work for the Kidex evaluation," Yeo was quoted saying by Malaysiakini. -Harakahdaily