In a statement, she said she had met informally with PJD Link (M) Sdn Bhd to raise the concerns of residents and better understand the developer’s plans.

Critics have called the PJD Link highway an attempt to reintroduce the failed Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex), which was cancelled in 2015 by the Selangor government following pushback from residents.

“For the moment, I am inclined to stand with the original position on Kidex and the policy that intra-city highways are not sustainable, cause more harm than good and not in accordance with the principles of sustainable development, and the promotion of mass public transportation system as we move towards low carbon cities,” Maria said.

She noted the continued opposition of residents to the proposed highway, and added that PJD Link had agreed to public consultations and meetings with relevant stakeholders.

“No decisions have been made to bring it back and the company has been informed by the Selangor government and MBPJ (Petaling Jaya City Council) that they have to follow the due process as the case is for any corporate company who wants to propose any ideas to the state and local authorities.”

Maria said she raised a number of key concerns with the developers, including the potential environmental and health impact, introduction of tolls, and the issue of acquiring property from residents to make way for the highway.

The proposed project will stretch for 12km and connect to the New Klang Valley Expressway, cutting through parts of Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Taman Midah and Puchong, before ending in Bukit Jalil.

Last week, a number of parties questioned the need for a highway, after Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran shared on Facebook that his office had been briefed on the proposed project.