Minister: Cancelling Kidex will create dilemma for private firms

At the Dewan Rakyat yesterday 

THE cancellation of the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) will create a dilemma for private companies that plan to invest in Selangor, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He said it would affect the Government’s efforts to ease traffic congestion faced by the people in the Klang Valley.

“We must look closely at the implications of the cancellation as the process was already ongoing,” he said in his winding-up speech for his ministry on the motion of thanks of the Royal Address on Tuesday.

“Will investors feel confident to invest in Selangor to build highways, and to plan for the public transport system? It will create a dilemma for them.”

Fadillah said the Government was committed to solving traffic woes, including introducing the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and the Kidex projects.

“We respect the state government’s decision to scrap the project but we will implement projects that will benefit the rakyat,” he said.

“We received complaints from the rakyat to solve their traffic problems and that is why we considered the solution proposed by the private sector, which was tabled to the Selangor Economic Action Council and approved with conditions on Feb 23, 2012.”

Fadillah said the state government should identify immediate solutions after cancelling the project.

Asked about the Government’s stance on whether it agreed to the cancellation, Fadillah said it required a study from the ministry and input from the Attorney-General over the legal implications on the cancellation.

“At the federal level, we can cancel the concession if they do not comply with our terms and regulations.

“But in this case, they have complied with all the terms and regulations. Is it fair for us to cancel it? We might face legal repercussions,” he warned.