Despite mounting criticism, including from within Pakatan Rakyat, Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim remains adamant that the controversial Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) project is good for the state.

“As a professional, I can't just make decisions based on political pressure. I must take into consideration what's good for the people,” he told journalists yesterday.

He was asked to comment on Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo's criticism of the Kidex project.

“He (Gobind) should continue with his efforts to convince the people (that Kidex is bad), I won't stop him from expressing his views. I will continue with my efforts to convince the people (that Kidex is good),” he replied.

Gobind and other critics, including PKR's Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli and Petaling Jaya Selantan MP Hee Loy Sian want Khalid to shelve the RM2.42 billion Kidex project, citing Pakatan's election manifesto which rejected tolled roads.

Abdul Khalid, however, says that this was not part of the Pakatan Selangor's manifesto.

Bukit Tagar residents must accept fate

Meanwhile on a separate matter, the MB said the state is trying to resolve the situation in Bukit Tagar .

However, he told the 300 residents living there to accept the fact that they can no longer stay in the temporary occupation land (TOL) that they have lived on for some 70 years.

“If it's not your land, then it's not your land,” he said.

“We must accept that the right of ownership belongs to those who have the proper grants or titles.”

Residents in the rural estate in Hulu Selangor have been protesting against a private company that they claim has intruded onto the land.

The plantation company had put up a signboard in the Bukit Tagar estate last week stating that it was private property and that trespassers would be prosecuted.

The families affected are trying to get the land back based on their TOL permits, which they have consistently renewed up till 2012.