PETALING JAYA, Feb 21 — Seventy-five-year-old Chia Gek Suan, who lived for over 40 years in Petaling Jaya, said the cancellation of the 14.9km Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) was the best news to coincide with the Lunar New Year.

The grandmother was the only resident who filed a Freedom of Information Enactment 2011 application to the state government to reveal documentations approved in principle by former menteri besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim on June 4 last year.

“Petaling Jaya residents can now put their worries to rest about all the issues involving the highway, including pollution and other hazards,” she said.

“(Selangor Menteri Besar) Azmin Ali had the courage to do what is necessary for the people and I hope the federal government will support the decision.”

Chia was happy she did her part for society by demanding answers from the state government over the controversial highway project.

“My grandchildren can now enjoy life in Petaling Jaya with no highway towering over their heads,” she said.

Azmin had in a statement said the project had to be scrapped last Monday after concessionaire Kidex Sdn Bhd failed to meet the terms set by the state government.

He said the developer did not submit the required reports to the state government on its Feb 14 deadline such as the traffic, social and environmental impact assessments besides failing to reveal the toll rates and full concession agreement.

The RM2.42 billion highway project raised eyebrows as residents in affected areas, including Petaling Jaya and Puchong, said the developers were not transparent with the project.

The protest against the highway led residents from Petaling Jaya to form an anti-Kidex group called “Say No To Kidex” in July 2013 after finding out the eight-storey highway would be passing thorough several residential areas.

The project was to start this year in Bandar Utama where it would tower across SS2, Section 19, Section 14, Section 4, Taman Medan and Bandar Kinrara, Puchong.