KL-Karak highway widening project involves existing road reserve, says executive councillor
The widening of Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway (KLK) will only involve the existing highway corridor or road reserve, so no additional land acquisition is required, Selangor infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim says.
He said the highway reserve in Selangor was partly owned by Federal Lands Commissioner (PTP) and Selangor Forestry Department (JPNS).
He disclosed that KLK concessionaire AFA Prime Bhd held an engagement session with Selangor Department of Director General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG Selangor) and JPNS, and had identified that the majority of settlements located on the outskirts of the highway were squatters.
“The concessionaire together with JKPTG Selangor, JPNS and the parties involved have conducted a census of the affected settlements.
“The census report will then be examined by JKPTG Selangor and JPNS for further action in accordance with the regulations and guidelines in force.
“However, if there are residential properties within the highway reserve that need to be relocated, the state government will ensure that the relocation process is in accordance with existing laws without marginalising the welfare of the homeowners involved,” Izham said at the Selangor State Assembly sitting at Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor in Shah Alam yesterday.
He was replying to a question by Muhammad Hilman Idham (PN-Gombak Setia) who asked what assurances had been given to homeowners along the Jalan Gombak Lama alignment.
Izham said the project had received approval from the Federal Government and preliminary works began last month.
Scheduled to begin at the end of this month, he said the project involved the addition of one lane in each direction, from KM19.2 (Gombak Toll Plaza) to KM64.5 of the Lingkaran Tengah Utama intersection in Bentong, Pahang.
The 45.3km project is expected to be completed in 2029.
Izham explained that the project would reduce traffic congestion and improve safety features and design of the existing highway, with additional streetlights installed from Genting Sempah to Bentong.
Muhammad Hilman then interjected, saying some residents were shocked to have received notices to move out when they had been living in those areas for almost four decades.
He questioned: “How many homes are involved and how many have received notices for land acquisition?
“Has the affected land ownership title been officially changed to carry out development?”
Muhammad Hilman also said that residents in Kampung Gombak Utara, where the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project is being developed, had complained about pothole-ridden roads, river pollution issues and cracked house walls.
“Will the KLK be implemented with the public’s welfare in mind in Gombak Setia?”
He added that more than 300 households along the alignment of Gombak Lama to Bentong had received notices from JKPTG Selangor.
Izham replied that he would get more details to ascertain if the homes in question were not within squatter settlements.
