KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) has awarded a RM3.028 billion System Turnkey Contract (STC) for the Penang Mutiara Line to a joint venture between Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) and Theta Edge Bhd, marking a major step forward in the delivery of Penang’s first metro rail network.
In a statement, MRT Corp said the appointment will enable the detailed design and implementation of the railway systems to proceed in parallel with the project’s ongoing civil construction programme, ensuring both workstreams remain aligned towards the overall completion of the line.
“The appointment will enable detailed design of the railway systems to proceed in parallel with the ongoing civil construction programme, ensuring both components remain aligned towards overall project delivery,” MRT Corp said.
The RM3.028 billion contract covers seven major railway systems packages comprising electric trains and depot equipment; signalling and train control systems together with automatic platform gates; trackwork, conductor rail and maintenance vehicles; power supply and distribution systems; railway SCADA and computerised maintenance management systems; telecommunications and information technology systems; and the automatic fare collection system.
In a separate Bursa Malaysia filing, MRCB said the contract was awarded to the MRCB-Theta Edge JV, an unincorporated joint venture with a 90:10 equity split in favour of MRCB and Theta Edge Berhad respectively.
The joint venture has been appointed as the turnkey contractor responsible for the engineering, procurement, design, construction, testing, commissioning and maintenance of the Penang LRT project’s railway systems. The contract is scheduled for completion within 68.8 months from the commencement date.
MRCB said the project is expected to contribute positively to the future earnings of the MRCB Group.
While acknowledging that the project will be exposed to normal construction risks, including fluctuations in material and equipment prices, the company said its experience in delivering major infrastructure projects places it in a strong position to manage such risks through established operational controls and mitigation measures.
The company also stated that none of its directors, major shareholders or persons connected to them have any direct or indirect interest in the project.
The award comes as construction under Civil Main Contract 1 (CMC1), covering the alignment from Silicon Island to KOMTAR, continues to gather momentum.
MRT Corp said it has adopted a parallel design-and-build approach by issuing construction reference drawings while detailed engineering designs are being finalised, allowing works to progress without waiting for the completion of the entire design package.
To date, 45 pile caps and 32 pier columns have been completed, with construction now underway across 14 of the 19 planned construction sections under the CMC1 package.
The corporation also said 93% of the land required for the CMC1 package has been made available through close cooperation between the federal and Penang state governments and relevant agencies.
Meanwhile, soil investigation works have commenced at Silicon Island to facilitate the future construction of the depot, while site clearing and preparation at Tapak Pesta have been completed following the handover of the land by the Penang government in April.
MRT Corp said the tender evaluation for Civil Main Contract 2 (CMC2), which will extend the alignment from KOMTAR to Penang Sentral, is progressing according to schedule, with the contract expected to be awarded in November this year.
The corporation also noted that Bumiputera participation under the CMC1 package has exceeded 20% of the total contract value through the award of subcontract packages for station construction and related works, reflecting its commitment to strengthening local industry capabilities.
MRT Corp thanked the people of Penang for their continued patience and cooperation throughout the construction period, saying it remains committed to minimising disruption while delivering the project. – August 6, 2026