PJD Link protesters hold silent demo in front of Selangor MB

 

A group of protesters held a silent demonstration against the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) elevated highway project at a forum attended by Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.

Stakeholders cum Residents Against PJD Link chairperson David Yoong said the demonstration was done as the forum’s theme aligned with what they are fighting for.

“The event was a forum on global warming and the environment. When I saw the event poster, I asked my members if we wanted to do a silent demonstration,” he told Malaysiakini.

After hastily preparing the posters, Yoong and six other protesters attended the forum and waited for Amirudin to finish his speech before putting up their two banners.

The two banners contained the words: “PJD Link destroys the environment” (PJD Link membinasakan Alam Sekitar) and “PJD Link enhances global warming” (PJD Link meningkatkan pemanasan).

“After we stood up, we were supposed to turn around and show the banner to the rest of the audience. But the organiser told us to sit down, understandably because they think we are spoiling the party.

“So when we were told to sit, we sat. They didn’t act harshly or manhandle us,” he said.

The event was held at PJ Live Arts Hall, Jaya One, Seksyen 13 yesterday.

‘Irreversible damage’

Out of seven protesters, Yoong said only two stood up to avoid too much commotion.

Selangor MB Amirudin Shari

“During Amirudin’s speech, he talked about the state’s role in addressing environmental concerns, but in the same breath, they are still considering a project that does irreversible damage to the environment,” he said.

Yoong said the decision to hold the protest was because the group was disappointed with Amirudin’s lack of response to their letters and memorandum against the project.

“Later during the event, when Amirudin was about to sign the book launched during the forum, we stood up again and that was when they grabbed our banner and crumpled it.

“My fight is not against the organiser. My issue is telling Amirudin that they are people who are against the project,” he added.

Although the state government had scrapped the highway in July last year, Amirudin said the project will be revived if it fulfils certain “requirements”.

Yoong said for now, the group had no plans to hold any more demonstrations and would let their legal action take its course. - Mkini