KAJANG, May 28 ― Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim must meet and listen to residents who oppose the RM2.42 billion Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) project, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said today.

Dr Wan Azizah, who is Kajang state assemblyman said that she was aware that there have been concerns regarding the sparse details on the controversial federal project, but stressed that the Selangor mentri besar had yet to brief her on the matter.

“Yes, that is how it should be. He (Khalid) should meet them, they are the affected ones,” she told reporters at a news conference here.

But when asked whether Selangor's support for the Kidex plan contravened Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) 2013 general election pledge to abolish tolled highways, she replied by saying “Kidex was before Pakatan came into Selangor”.

Preliminary approval for the Kidex project was granted by the Khalid administration in 2012, four years after PR wrested the state from Barisan Nasional (BN).

“I need more information before I can comment on the impact (of the project),” she said, but admitted that it was the responsibility of lawmakers to “look into the matter” as it could affect a lot of residents.

“In Kidex, there is more than meets the eye,” Wan Azizah added, before her officers told reporters to only ask questions related to Kajang.

Wan Azizah is the latest PR leader to call on MB Khalid to prioritise affected residents over the Kidex deal.

So far, seven federal and state PR lawmakers ― Hee Loy Sian, Rajiv Rishyakaran, Ng Sze Han, Lau Weng San, Gobind Singh, Yeo Bee Yin and Haniza Talha - have publicly stated their opposition to the project.

Khalid has, however, repeatedly maintained that the project would benefit the majority of Selangor residents and reduce traffic congestion.

He has also refused to meet residents over the matter.

The Kidex project has been rejected on three occasions by the city council as developers had failed to provide sufficient details.

Under Section 18 of the Town Country and Planning Act (TCPA), construction cannot start unless the highway fits with MBPJ’s plans.

Kidex is currently not incorporated into the council’s blueprint for Petaling Jaya city.

Despite the growing opposition, mounting evidence in the form of replies in Parliament and the state legislative assembly indicate that the project is set to proceed.

Among the areas that could be affected by the project are Tropicana Mall, SS2 Mall, Rothman’s traffic lights, Section 14, Amcorp Mall, Hilton Petaling Jaya, Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital, Jalan Templer roundabout, Taman Datuk Harun, Taman Medan Baru and Bandar Kinrara.

Construction of the multi-billion ringgit highway could begin as soon as next year and be completed by 2018.