GEORGE TOWN – The Penang state government will require MRT Corp, the owner of the Mutiara Line light rail transit (LRT) project, to submit a monthly progress report, and will also form a task force to ensure smooth delivery of the project, the state assembly was told today.
State Infrastructure, Transport, and Digital executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari (Tg Bunga-PH) said a condition has been set for MRT Corp to present the report during the exco meeting chaired by the chief minister, to ensure the long-awaited project is carried out on schedule, transparently and effectively.
The state government will also monitor construction works with the assistance of local authorities (PBT).
“(Penang) will establish a traffic management task force for mega projects to monitor and ensure that such projects carried out in the state, including this LRT project, run smoothly,” said Zairil in a written reply to opposition leader Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff (Sg Dua-PN).
The PAS assemblyman had asked how the state government would ensure effective and transparent delivery of the LRT project, and what mitigation measures would be taken to prevent abandonment and ensure timely completion.
Meanwhile, in another written reply to Muhamad Kasim (Telok Bahang-PN) on the residents involved in the land acquisition process and compensation rates for the LRT project, Zairil said the number of affected residents would be identified through an investigation under Section 12 of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 (Act 486).
He said the investigation will commence soon, as the land was only gazetted under the Act on April 10.
“The compensation quantum will only be finalised after the investigation involving all interested parties is completed. So far, the evaluation process has yet to be carried out, as this will be decided by the Land Tribunal,” he added.
Zairil also said the state government will work with federal agencies, local authorities, and project developers to ensure that any technical, logistical, or legal issues are resolved swiftly.
On May 18, Scoop reported that Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government is working with Putrajaya to tie up loose ends so that construction can commence in the third quarter (Q3) of this year.
Chow said early works, such as soil investigations, have begun in Lebuh Macallum, and MRT Corp is ready to carry out test piling. He also said the state has approved MRT Corp’s entry into state land that has already been cleared for early works.
On April 20, MRT Corp said the project remains on track, with the company having secured access to 86 plots of land to date, and the gazette under Section 8 of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 completed ahead of the original October timeline.
The company also received approval for advance works under Section 20A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 on April 15.
The LRT project – which will connect the under-reclamation Silicon Island on the southern coast of Penang Island to Komtar, and subsequently to the Penang Sentral terminal in Butterworth via a cross-strait link – is slated for completion in 2031. – May 22, 2025