Residents vent anger on Rafizi over highway projects

About 100 Selangor residents yesterday submitted a memorandum to oppose the proposed construction of three highways -- the Damansara-Shah Alam Highway (DASH), the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE) and the Shah Alam-Ulu Kelang Expressway (SUKE).

Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli who was invited to receive the memorandum, however, was bombarded with questions by frustrated residents during a gathering at the Kelab Darul Ehsan country club, here.

A committee member of the anti-Kidex and anti-DASH pressure groups, Mak Khuin Weng slammed Rafizi, questioning his role in tackling the situation.

"What is the point you are all in the government but you can't change the rules that you criticize?" he asked.

Rafizi was attempting to explain the challenges faced by the state goverment on the highway developments before being hurled by multiple accusations including for 'not listening to the people'.

"I was invited to accept a memorandum to oppose the SUKE highway. That is why I am here. So my constituency comes first. I will speak on behalf of my constituency, if other MPs don't do it, don't come and try to throw eggs at me," he said in his defence.

Another individual, however demanded Rafizi to take responsibility as an elected representative from Selangor.

"You must represent the entire population of Selangor, not only your constituency and you are the secretary-general of a party that rules selangor. You must take responsibility," he said.

Meanwhile, 'Say No To SUKE' Chairman, Agos Hasan when met after the gathering, said the memorandum was the last resort as they have exhausted all resources to fight for their rights as home owners.

"There were a lot of emotions going on today because every approach we took was met with a stone wall. Even with the court order, there seems to be no stop to all these projects.

"In fact, projects such as the EKVE was advertised in the papers even though an order to stop (the project) was given," he said.