SHAH ALAM, Nov 19 — Residents opposing the RM2.42 billion Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) expressed hope after finally meeting Azmin Ali, saying the Selangor mentri besar listened and took note of the reasons why they were against the project.

Say No To Kidex (SNTK) committee member Mak Khuin Weng said they had a chance to formally present their own findings and reasons why they felt the project should be scrapped, via a memorandum to Azmin.

“We stated our objection to the highway, how it is not done via open tender, and how it should not be supported by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) because it runs counter to their Buku Jingga pledge.

“He (Azmin) listened to us but didn’t say too much... he said he is willing to meet us further,” Mak told reporters at the state secretariat building lobby.

According to Mak and several other SNTK members, Azmin said in the meeting that he would bring up the Kidex issue in his budget speech when the Selangor legislative assembly convenes next week.

“It is a step in the right direction... positive in the sense that Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim did not even want to meet us,” Mak said, referring to Azmin’s predecessor.

Mak stressed however that SNTK had made it clear to Azmin that his existing pre-conditions for the highway project were not enough.

“(The pre-conditions) are necessary but insufficient,” he added.

Newly-appointed MB Azmin has publicly stated his administration would not oppose any highways which were beneficial to Selangor, provided the assessment reports and viability of these projects were done above board.

Critics have claimed that the Selangor government’s current stand on Kidex went against Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) 2013 general election pledge to abolish tolled highways should they assume federal power.

A Kidex Sdn Bhd official told Malay Mail Online on Sunday that the concession deadline was extended to February next year because Kidex is part of Putrajaya’s “overall transportation and traffic management initiatives” for the Klang Valley.

Last Monday, Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof said his ministry has yet to study Kidex Sdn Bhd’s reason for seeking the extension and will have to consult the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) first before making any decision on the matter.

The final approval for the controversial highway project, the minister pointed out, ultimately lies with the Selangor government.

MBPJ had appointed an “independent consultant” some months back to pore over impact assessment reports prepared by Kidex Sdn Bhd.

SNTK has demanded that Works Minister Fadillah call off the project entirely, claiming that the private developer had failed to meet pre-conditions stipulated by the ministry in the concession agreement a year ago.

Earlier this year, Fadillah said that approval to begin Kidex’s construction will only be given once Putrajaya is satisfied that all conditions have been fulfilled by its highway developer.

In a statement then, the minister stated that the company has 12 months from the signing of the concession agreement on November 15, 2013, to fulfil certain stipulated conditions.

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

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

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

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.