CHERAS MP Tan Kok Wai is appealing to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to intervene in the Jalan Yew-Jalan Sungai Besi flyover widening project which appears set to go ahead despite stakeholders’ objections.
He said he wrote to Anwar several days ago to ask for a review of the project, if not outright cancellation.
This was in response to a press statement on Aug 1 by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on closure of the Jalan Sungai Besi and Loke Yew roundabout from Aug 5 this year to Aug 4, 2024.
This is to facilitate construction of an elevated road for the project.
Surprised by the notice, Tan and stakeholders from the Against the Widening of Jalan Yew Action Committee met with DBKL on Aug 3 to postpone the road closure as safety measures were not in place to warn motorists about the action.
“Three months ago, when Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh visited the site, the committee voiced their concerns to him.
“He agreed that before any works were to be done, DBKL would consult me or the committee.
“This is a huge matter as it involves closing the road for a year,” Tan told StarMetro.
After the meeting, DBKL said in a statement on Aug 6 that it would defer the closure until further notice.
The flyover-widening project, which falls under the Finance Ministry and costs RM96mil, was initiated in 2017.
DBKL is the implementing body for this project.
The widening of the flyover that connects the Sungai Besi Highway and Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Highway on both sides is to cater to motorists heading to Tun Razak Exchange.
The action committee, which was formed in 2022, objected to the road-widening project, stating that it would lead to traffic chaos and disrupt businesses in the area.
“The committee is worried that no Social Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment were carried out for this flyover-widening project,” said Tan.
“Last year, we also requested for a Traffic Impact Assessment but were only given a summary of the report.
“We do not object to development that is beneficial to multiple parties but the stakeholders in Jalan Yew will suffer the consequences of this project.”
Action Committee secretary Chai Mei Li said they were not consulted on the closure.
“During the last visit, we raised the issue of road pillars for the project that would take up nine parking spots in the area and we wanted a better plan from DBKL.
“They have not replied to us and we are still clueless on the implementation of the project,” she said, reiterating that the committee called for the cancellation of the project.
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