GEORGE TOWN: The land acquisition process for the construction of the Penang Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) has been progressing smoothly without any issues or disputes, said Chow Kon Yeow.
The Chief Minister said that the land acquisition involves state-owned land, private properties, local authorities, and the Penang Development Corporation (PDC).
He said various meetings have been held between the state government, the Transport Ministry (MOT), the developer, and asset owner MRT Corp, along with several other involved parties.
"These meetings have been conducted over the past months to discuss several project details, including land acquisition, depots, and LRT stations.
"The state government has consistently collaborated with the Federal Government to ensure the smooth implementation of this project without any complications.
"Most recently, we have another meeting scheduled with MOT on Friday (Jan 3) to discuss a few more matters," he said during a press conference at Komtar on Thursday (Jan 2).
Chow said in terms of land acquisition, the issue has been brought to the executive councillor meeting, where no rising problems or issues occurred from the matter.
In March last year, the federal government approved a development proposal for Penang Mutiara Line LRT, which is expected to be completed by 2030.
The planned LRT project has 21 stations, with 20 located on Penang Island and man-made Silicon Island, and one at Penang Sentral on the mainland.
The federal government has decided to appoint MRT Corp, a company wholly owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc), as the developer and asset owner for the project.
Meanwhile Chow said the infrastructure work for the mega project might be carried out simultaneously with the expansion of the Penang International Airport (PIA) to minimise inconvenience to the public.
He said the latest information he received regarding both projects indicates that the project owners for the PIA expansion and the Mutiara Line LRT are currently in discussions to collaborate.
"The construction of the LRT alignment could happen concurrently with the expansion of PIA to save time and reduce public inconvenience.
"Both project owners need to work together to coordinate their work schedules," he said.
Chow said that a LRT station would be built approximately 200m from PIA.
"It will be located between Mitsui Outlet Mall and the PIA parking area but closer to the airport. Previously, Mitsui Outlet Mall was proposed to be built next to the airport.
"Both projects fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government, with MRT Corporation as the project owner for the Mutiara Line LRT and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) responsible for the PIA expansion," he added.
Chow said the state government has limited information on these projects as they are owned by the federal government.
He said preliminary civil and structural work for the Mutiara Line LRT project is expected to commence soon, with SRS Consortium invited as the selected tenderer for this component of the project.
He said SRS Consortium is the contractor for civil and structural works for the first component of the first segment from Silicon Island to Komtar.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke was earlier quoted as saying that the Mutiara Line LRT project would begin this year.
The project will start from Silicon Island and head north to the other stations – namely Permatang Damar Laut, Penang International Airport, Sungai Tiram, South Free Industrial Zone, Free Industrial Zone, Jalan Tengah, Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Bukit Jambul, Sungai Nibong, Sungai Dua, Batu Uban, Jalan Universiti, Gelugor, Penang Waterfront, East Jelutong, Sungai Pinang, Bandar Sri Pinang, Macallum Street and Komtar.
Those from the mainland can also travel to the Macallum Street station from the Penang Sentral station.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate the groundbreaking ceremony on Jan 11.
