PUTRAJAYA’S approval to build three more highways must be explained in greater detail, Ong Kian Ming said. 

The Bangi lawmaker said there is a need for the government to explain matters such as the costs and whether any soft loans will be offered to the three companies.

He also questioned whether the project under the Public Private Partnership Unit (Ukas) was granted via public tender and if so, was it awarded to reputable concessionaires.

“Do these companies have the experience and a strong track record to give confidence to Ukas that they will be able to implement these projects well?” Ong asked. 

“What are the terms and conditions in the concession agreement? What about the toll rate? Will it be increased within a stipulated time and the compensation be paid by the government if the toll rate is not increased?”

Ong asked the Works Ministry whether it has conducted traffic flow studies to show that the three highways will ease congestion. 

With regard to the Bangi-Putrajaya Expressway (BPE), Ong said the concessionaire Bangi Expressway Sdn Bhd, owned by MIL-TECH Sdn Bhd, has a dubious track record, having sold a building to the government previously at an inflated price. 

“These highway projects that have been proposed will have a long-term impact on the landscape, way of life and rate of development in the areas involved. 

“The process for approving such a project should not be done in a hurry. It needs to be done transparently in terms of information disclosure and public discussion,” he said.

Last week, Works Minister Fadillah Yusof said the three new highways will improve connectivity in the Klang Valley and reduce congestion. 

Besides the BPE, the other two highways are the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link and the Kuala Lumpur Northern Dispersal Expressway. – May 30, 2022.