GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government is working with the federal government to tie up loose ends so that works for the much-awaited Mutiara Line light rail transit (LRT) project can commence in the third quarter (Q3) of this year, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow said early works, such as soil investigations, have started in Lebuh Maccallum. MRT Corp, which owns the project, is also ready to carry out test piling works.
“The state has also given them (MRT Corp) approval to enter state land that had already been cleared so they can start (their works),” he told reporters at the sidelines of an event at Straits Quay Marina in Tg Tokong.
“But the main thing is the notice to proceed has not been issued from MRT (Corp) to (the Gamuda Bhd-led consortium).
“(MRT Corp CEO) Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim explained there is a condition precedent before they can issue (the notice). So we are working to comply with that. With that notice, Gamuda can start officially.”
He made the statement when asked whether early works for the project, such as soil investigations and utility relocation, can be expedited to ensure the project begins taking shape in Q3 this year.
Yesterday, Chow reportedly expressed optimism that the LRT project is on track to begin in Q3, according to statements from government officials.
However, he said that, as with any major infrastructure initiative, various procedural, technical, and financial matters must first be resolved, state-owned daily Buletin Mutiara reported.
On Tuesday, the chief minister co-chaired a federal-state meeting with Loke, which discussed how to resolve several outstanding issues related to the LRT project.
“We will continue to strive forward to ensure the construction works on site can proceed according to the announced timeline,” he said in a Facebook post.
On April 25, Scoop reported Zarif as saying that the project will commence in the fourth quarter of next year. He said that despite the seemingly slow progress, LRT projects follow the S-curve model, with the initial phases often being time-consuming.
He also said the contractor, SRS Consortium – led by Gamuda Bhd – will now have to conduct soil investigations and relocate utility lines, as LRT construction is carried out on road reserves, which are heavily lined with utilities. – May 18, 2025