GEORGE TOWN – After nearly a decade-long push for its own light rail transit system (LRT), Penang has finally gotten its Mutiara LRT line, which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Sg Pinang on January 11.
The RM13 billion LRT project marks a significant milestone in the state’s public transportation development as it has been mooted as an effective solution to the traffic congestion problem that has been crippling the state for a long time and helps in ensuring faster, more convenient commute across the island for Penagites.
Scoop is taking a deep dive into the project, which is slated for completion in 2031, which focuses on how the project came to fruition after 10 years, its alignment, and how the project would benefit the state’s community and its economy.
Mutiara Line: A long winding saga
The LRT project was proposed in 2015 by the state government, which was led by then chief minister Lim Guan Eng. The project was one of the components of the state’s ambitious Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) – which proposed bus rapid transit (BRT), tram, taxi, e-hailing, ferry and water taxi.
The project, which would connect Komtar to the Penang International Airport (PIA) was expected to cost RM4.5 billion at that time. The then Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow (now the chief minister) reportedly said that the project would take five to six years to complete.
SRS Consortium was appointed by the state government as the Project Delivery Partner for PTMP which was then estimated to cost RM27 billion. The consortium consists of Gamuda Berhad which is the majority shareholder (60% stake), Loh Phoy Yen Holdings and Ideal Property Development (40% stake).
However, it was not supported by the then Barisan Nasional government, which forced the state to resort to the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project – which involves the construction of the three islands off the southern coast of Penang island – to fund PTMP.
The project was given conditional approval by the then-Pakatan Harapan-led government in 2019, with construction works scheduled to commence in 2020. However, the project underwent a period of “development hell” due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the failure to secure continuous federal backing due to a period of nationwide political stability that was triggered by the downfall of the PH government and subsequent formation of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) and BN-PN governments.
The project finally got its much-needed federal support following the formation of the Madani unity government in late 2022 which took over the project from the state government in March 2024.
Where does the project start and end?
The LRT line involves the construction of the 29.5km long viaduct with 21 elevated stations which will be set up at strategic locations along the island, which are: Silicon Island (which is undergoing reclamation), Permatang Damar Laut, PIA, Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) South, FIZ North, Sg Tiram, Jalan Tengah in Bayan Baru, SPICE Arena, Sg Nibong, Bukit Jambul., Sg Dua, Batu Uban, Jalan Universiti (nearby Universiti Sains Malaysia), Gelugor, Penang Waterfront (next to Lim Chong Eu Expressway), East Jelutong, Sg Pinang, Bandar Sri Pinang, Macallum, Komtar, and the Penang Sentral station in Butterworth.
The Macallum station would be an interchange one, which connects both the Komtar station, and the Penang Sentral station through a 5.78km long cross-channel link – which would have a height of 62m at its midspan to allow ships to pass through.
On journey time, the estimated journey time from Silicon Island station to Komtar station is 45 minutes, while the estimated time from the Silicon Island station to Penang Sentral station will be 49 minutes. Meanwhile, the travelling time from Komtar station to Penang Sentral station through the Maccalum interchange station is estimated to range from eight to 13 minutes during peak or non-peak periods.
Who is the developer?
Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) was appointed as the project developer and asset owner. MRT Corp will also project manage the implementation of the various packages for the LRT project.
There are three tender packages involved in this project – with Package 1 being the construction works from the Silicon Island station to the Komtar station. An agreement was signed between MRT Corp and SRS Consortium today (January 13) – which is the contractor for the project.
Meanwhile, Package 2 involved the construction of the Maccalum station – Penang Sentral cross-channel rail link. The tender preparation is ongoing with the tender calling process expected to be in July this year. The project will be awarded in the second quarter of 2026. Additionally, Package 3 involves the system turnkey contract – where the tender process is ongoing with the closing date for submission set on April 14 this year.
The LRT project was designed to support potential extensions in the future to Tg Bungah and Air Itam, which is the most densely populated locality on the island. Construction works for the stations will be done segment-by-segment instead of simultaneously to prevent traffic congestion along the planned route.
Meanwhile, MRT Corp will be collaborating with the state government to establish a transit-oriented development (TOD) at the Tapak Pesta Sg Nibong, which will host a station. Construction works for the project have commenced, starting with the construction of the Bandar Sri Pinang station.
According to company CEO Datuk Mohd Zarif Mohd Hashim, the company is targeting 60,000 passengers a day by the third year after the project’s completion, and 168,000 passengers a day in 20 years.
Supercharging Penang economy
The LRT project was proposed by many quarters due to its potential to supercharge the state economy – which is heavily reliant on its manufacturing and tourism sectors, as well fulfilling the needs of the public who are clamouring for efficient public transport that would help reduce journey time on the island.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who has been closely working with the Penang government on the project, said that the LRT project will support the creation of the “Penang Silicon Design @5km+” tech hub initiative, the expansion of PIA and Bayan Lepas FIZ, and the creation of the Penang Waterfront, which is a key component of the Light City built along the Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
Loke also said that the project will help spur the state tourism sector, especially around the George Town UNESCO Heritage Site. Meanwhile, Chow said that the LRT project is a monumental step towards building a sustainable public transportation system for Penang, state-owned daily Buletin Mutiara reported. – January 12, 2025