Latest news with #MutiaraLineLightRailTransit
The Star
11-06-2025
- The Star
Loke: LRT project in Penang to start within two months
GEORGE TOWN: With outstanding issues concerning the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project now resolved, physical construction is set to begin within the next two months, says Anthony Loke. The Transport Minister said the resolved matters included the issuance of consent letters from the state government and other technical issues that had previously delayed the project's implementation. He said the project's main contractor has already awarded preliminary works to sub-contractors in preparation for on-site activities. 'I personally chaired a meeting with the Penang Chief Minister last month and resolved all issues related to the project. 'We can expect physical works to begin within one or two months,' he told reporters after inspecting the Rapid Penang On-Demand (ROD) service yesterday. The 29.5km Mutiara Line LRT project, which includes 21 stations, aims to improve connectivity between the island and the mainland, while also reducing road congestion and enhancing accessibility. On the ROD service, Loke said it has been operating with 50 vans, covering 13 zones in Penang (seven on the island and the rest on the mainland) since its introduction in August last year. He said the average number of daily passengers on weekdays has shown an increase since the addition of zones in March this year. 'An average of 492 passengers per day was recorded in March compared to 159 passengers in February. 'In May, the average daily ridership exceeded the target of 1,944. 'The figure has contributed 4.1% of the total daily average of 47,000 passengers using Rapid Penang services,' he said. Loke also said the Gurney-Tanjong Bungah route is currently the most popular with 522 passengers daily.
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang on track for large scale projects, pledge effective traffic management
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government has assured that effective traffic management strategies will be implemented to minimise disruptions during the construction of upcoming large scale projects. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the projects including Penang South Islands (PSI) project, the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway may cause temporary traffic congestion but it is a part of the development process. 'Many years ago when our team visited Gamuda in Kuala Lumpur, where they were at that time implementing the LRT project, we were introduced to the various traffic management strategies and a program that they managed at that time during the construction phase. 'I believe all contractors appointed for this massive project in Penang will take note of traffic dispersal and the key consideration is to maintain the number of lanes during construction, despite having to take away certain parts of the roads away from the vehicles, additional space would have to be created so that the original number of lanes will be retained,' he said. Chow said this while responding to questions during the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Northern Annual Luncheon Dialogue 2025, here today and also attended by MICCI Northern Branch Chairman Datuk Brian Tan Guan Hooi together with 200 attendees from various industries and related sectors. With a proper traffic management and patience from all road users, Chow is confident the state government will be able to mitigate and make travelling more comfortable despite the congestion. He also confirmed that the Penang LRT project is expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with completion projected within six to seven years, while the Juru–Sungai Dua Elevated Highway is scheduled to commence by the end of the year. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in tabling Budget 2025 on Oct 18 last year, announced several projects in Penang, including the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway, Mutiara Line LRT, the expansion of Penang International Airport (LTAPP) and the Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3 project. The 29.5-kilometre Mutiara Line LRT will feature 21 strategically located stations and is designed to enhance connectivity between Penang Island and the mainland, reduce road congestion, and improve overall accessibility. Meanwhile, Chow also noted that the state-led PSI project continues to make progress with some 60.71 hectares of land already reclaimed over the past 18 months. He said the state government is awaiting 'good news' from the federal government regarding the incentive packages for potential purchasers of the land for industrial development. PSI or Silicon Island, with a land area of 930.78 hectares, is a reclamation project owned by the Penang government.
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang on track for large scale projects
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government has assured that effective traffic management strategies will be implemented to minimise disruptions during the construction of upcoming large scale projects. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the projects including Penang South Islands (PSI) project, the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway may cause temporary traffic congestion but it is a part of the development process. 'Many years ago when our team visited Gamuda in Kuala Lumpur, where they were at that time implementing the LRT project, we were introduced to the various traffic management strategies and a program that they managed at that time during the construction phase. 'I believe all contractors appointed for this massive project in Penang will take note of traffic dispersal and the key consideration is to maintain the number of lanes during construction, despite having to take away certain parts of the roads away from the vehicles, additional space would have to be created so that the original number of lanes will be retained,' he said. Chow said this while responding to questions during the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Northern Annual Luncheon Dialogue 2025, here today and also attended by MICCI Northern Branch Chairman Datuk Brian Tan Guan Hooi together with 200 attendees from various industries and related sectors. With a proper traffic management and patience from all road users, Chow is confident the state government will be able to mitigate and make travelling more comfortable despite the congestion. He also confirmed that the Penang LRT project is expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with completion projected within six to seven years, while the Juru–Sungai Dua Elevated Highway is scheduled to commence by the end of the year. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in tabling Budget 2025 on Oct 18 last year, announced several projects in Penang, including the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway, Mutiara Line LRT, the expansion of Penang International Airport (LTAPP) and the Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3 project. The 29.5-kilometre Mutiara Line LRT will feature 21 strategically located stations and is designed to enhance connectivity between Penang Island and the mainland, reduce road congestion, and improve overall accessibility. Meanwhile, Chow also noted that the state-led PSI project continues to make progress with some 60.71 hectares of land already reclaimed over the past 18 months. He said the state government is awaiting 'good news' from the federal government regarding the incentive packages for potential purchasers of the land for industrial development. PSI or Silicon Island, with a land area of 930.78 hectares, is a reclamation project owned by the Penang government.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Mutiara Line LRT land probe to determine compensation
GEORGE TOWN: The exact number of residents affected by the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project will only be determined once an investigation under Section 12 of the Land Acquisition Act (LAA) 1960 is conducted. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the investigation would be conducted soon, as the gazetting of Section 8 of the LAA 1960 was only completed on April 10. 'The quantum of compensation will only be finalised after the investigation process under section 12 of the LAA 1960, on all stakeholders, is completed. As of now, the compensation assessment process has not yet been implemented, and this will be determined by the Land Tribunal,' he said. He said this in his reply to an oral question from Muhamad Kasim (PN-Telok Bahang) on the progress of site preparation work and the route of the Mutiara Line LRT project, as well as the number of residents affected by land or property acquisition and the compensation involved. Zairil said the LRT project is currently at the land acquisition stage, which has been gazetted under the LAA 1960 by the State Land and Mines Office, in collaboration with the project owner, Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), for the lots involved in Segment 1 of the line, stretching from Komtar to Permatang Damar Laut. He said permission had been given to MRT Corp to use 86 government land lots so far, while preliminary works are underway following approval under Section 20A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976. Zairil added that the Mutiara Line LRT project is currently in the preliminary preparation phase, with a key focus on relocating existing utilities, an essential step that must be completed before the construction of any stations or flyovers can begin. He also said that the state government is committed to ensuring the project is implemented transparently and efficiently in accordance with the set schedule, and has taken several proactive measures to that end. Among them is the requirement for MRT Corp to submit monthly progress reports to the State Executive Council (MMK) meetings, chaired by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, to enable periodic monitoring of the project's development. 'In addition, construction activities are being closely monitored by the local authorities (PBT), and a mega project traffic management task force has been established in Penang specifically to oversee and ensure the smooth implementation of the project,' he said. The physical works for the project, estimated to cost around RM13 billion based on the latest scope and design, are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with large-scale construction slated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026. The 29.5-kilometre Mutiara Line LRT will feature 21 strategically located stations and is designed to enhance connectivity between Penang Island and the mainland, reduce road congestion, and improve overall accessibility.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang LRT: Compensation quantum pending completion of land acquisition probe
GEORGE TOWN: The exact number of residents affected by the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project will only be determined once an investigation under Section 12 of the Land Acquisition Act (LAA) 1960 is conducted. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the investigation would be conducted soon, as the gazetting of Section 8 of the LAA 1960 was only completed on April 10. 'The quantum of compensation will only be finalised after the investigation process under section 12 of the LAA 1960, on all stakeholders, is completed. As of now, the compensation assessment process has not yet been implemented, and this will be determined by the Land Tribunal,' he said. He said this in his reply to an oral question from Muhamad Kasim (PN-Telok Bahang) on the progress of site preparation work and the route of the Mutiara Line LRT project, as well as the number of residents affected by land or property acquisition and the compensation involved. Zairil said the LRT project is currently at the land acquisition stage, which has been gazetted under the LAA 1960 by the State Land and Mines Office, in collaboration with the project owner, Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), for the lots involved in Segment 1 of the line, stretching from Komtar to Permatang Damar Laut. He said permission had been given to MRT Corp to use 86 government land lots so far, while preliminary works are underway following approval under Section 20A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976. Zairil added that the Mutiara Line LRT project is currently in the preliminary preparation phase, with a key focus on relocating existing utilities, an essential step that must be completed before the construction of any stations or flyovers can begin. He also said that the state government is committed to ensuring the project is implemented transparently and efficiently in accordance with the set schedule, and has taken several proactive measures to that end. Among them is the requirement for MRT Corp to submit monthly progress reports to the State Executive Council (MMK) meetings, chaired by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, to enable periodic monitoring of the project's development. 'In addition, construction activities are being closely monitored by the local authorities (PBT), and a mega project traffic management task force has been established in Penang specifically to oversee and ensure the smooth implementation of the project,' he said. The physical works for the project, estimated to cost around RM13 billion based on the latest scope and design, are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with large-scale construction slated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026. The 29.5-kilometre Mutiara Line LRT will feature 21 strategically located stations and is designed to enhance connectivity between Penang Island and the mainland, reduce road congestion, and improve overall accessibility.
