KUALA LUMPUR (June 9): Ten property owners and residents along Jalan U-Thant have been granted leave by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur to challenge the Desa Pandan alignment of the Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway (SPE), The Malaysiakini news portal reported today.

Justice Azizah Nawawi also granted a temporary stay on the planned project until the court delivers a decision after hearing the application on full merits, the news portal reported.

The 10 owners and residents filed their judicial review application via two law firms.

The applicants were Enisah Baharuddin, Joy Devi Kunanayagam, Datuk Dr N. Kunanayagam, IM Holdings Sdn Bhd, LA & I Sdn Bhd, Dharma Sdn Bhd, Gulam Rasool Khan TM Abdul Hameed, Datuk Seri Md Isahak Md Yusuf, Rinata Sdn Bhd and Law Shu Kee.

They named the Works Minister, the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Lebuhraya Duke Fasa 3 Sdn Bhd and the government, as respondents.

Senior federal counsel Ruzaimi Baharom appeared for the respondent.

The residents are seeking a certiorari order to quash the decision by the Minister, LLM, DBKL and the government in approving the design and/or specifications for the Desa Pandan Alignment of the SPE, according to a report from The Star daily.

The owners also sought a declaration that the Public Acceptance Survey conducted for the alignment was unlawful, null and void.