
Penang's Mutiara Line LRT contractor given the nod to start work
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the notice was issued on Tuesday (July 15) to main contractor SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd by project developer Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp).
"With this, the construction process will commence as planned, including the relocation of utilities, road widening, piling and site establishment works along approved segments of the Mutiara Line alignment.
"The works would proceed at various locations along the route where approvals had already been secured from the relevant authorities," he said in a statement on Thursday (July 17).
Chow said the state government is now awaiting the outcome of the tender process for two remaining packages: the turnkey contractor for CMC2, covering the stretch from Macallum to Penang Sentral, and the rail systems package for the entire line.
"This year has seen several significant developments for the project, including the groundbreaking ceremony at the Bandar Sri Pinang station site, the appointment of SRS as the turnkey contractor for CMC1 in January, and now, the issuance of the notice.
"Looking ahead, a strategic communications platform and public feedback channel will soon be launched to support ongoing and future mega infrastructure projects in the state.
"This will enable the public to obtain further information on the projects," he added.
The state government has urged the people to give their full cooperation throughout the implementation of the project, which is expected to be completed in 2031.
The Mutiara Line is Penang's first LRT system.
It is a key component of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), designed to enhance connectivity and alleviate traffic congestion on both the island and the mainland.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Focus Malaysia
3 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Construction sector maintains growth amid cost dynamics
THE average prices of steel bars in Malaysia heightened for the second consecutive month as of Jul-25, following a brief softening of prices from Mar-May-25. Average prices rose +5.26% month-on-month (mom) in Jul-25 to RM2,200.00 per metric tonne, the first consecutive month price incline since Jan-24. 'This was largely attributable to Malaysia's imposition of provisional anti‑dumping duties, effective from 7 July 2025, on selected galvanized iron and steel imports from China, South Korea and Vietnam, ranging from 3.86% to 57.90%, which has begun to limit cheap inflows, tighten local supply and lift procurement costs,' said MBSB Research. Rising input prices for coking coal and scrap, together with construction-related inflation and labour tightness in Malaysia, have also contributed to recent upward momentum. As of Jul-25, the monthly average price for the binding substance has remained unchanged for the 24th consecutive month since Jul-23, holding steady at RM380 per metric tonne. This prolonged price stability was attributed to a balanced supply-demand dynamic in the market and consistent raw material costs leading to easing cost pressures that help to sustain price. Prices have remained consistent across all regions, including the northern, central, and eastern Peninsula, as well as Sabah and Sarawak. The continued stability in cement pricing is mainly supported by relatively flat input costs, particularly for coal, petcoke, and clinker, which have remained relatively flat since late calendar year 2023 (CY23), reducing the pressure on producers to revise pricing. Local producers have also benefited from optimised production scheduling and reduced reliance on spot imports, allowing for better margin control without needing to adjust selling prices. We expect the price of bulk cement to remain relatively stable moving forward, backed by the consistent demand from key projects such as the reinstatement of five LRT stations, the MRT3, the Penang International Airport expansion, along with the sustained demand for industrial projects and property development. Data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia showed that for the thirteenth consecutive quarter, the construction sector remained on a positive trajectory, albeit growing at a slower pace compared to the first quarter. Out of RM43.9 bil value of work done, 37.1% or equivalent to RM16.3 bil was in civil engineering, primarily in the construction of utility projects (RM8.1 bil) and construction of roads and railways (RM6.0 bil) activities. We maintain our positive stance on the construction sector, backed by a combination of easing cost pressures, resilient private sector demand, and stronger public project execution. Steel bar prices have continued to ease on a year-to-date (‑9.91%) and year-on-year (‑19.5%) basis despite recent monthly fluctuations, while cement prices remain stable due to disciplined domestic production and raw material cost control, ensuring a favourable cost environment for contractors. These cost dynamics, paired with gradual easing of labour constraints and the ability to pass through SST and tariff-related costs, continue to support profitability in ongoing projects. Momentum is also improving on the demand side. —Aug 15, 2025 Main image: National Action Plan On Business And Human Rights


The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Construction sector job growth expected in 2H 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The construction sector is expected to see increased job flows in the second half of this year (2H 2025), driven by the gradual rollout of major public-sector infrastructure projects, said MBSB Investment Bank Bhd. In a note today, the investment bank said earnings visibility is expected to improve in 2H 2025, supported by active industrial job flows such as the Penang light rail transit (LRT) Mutiara Line and data centre prospects, alongside the multi-year public infrastructure roadmap under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). It said the Penang LRT has officially commenced following the issuance of Notice to Proceed, while land acquisitions for Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) are underway, unlocking the RM31 billion civil works portion of the project pipeline. Demand for data centres also remains structurally strong, with contractors continuing to secure hyperscale mandates as part of Southeast Asia's digital infrastructure boom, underpinned by robust leasing activity, cost competitiveness, and long-term client partnerships. 'Overall, we view this as a positive development despite the headwinds faced by the construction sector in 1H 2025, stemming from delays in project rollouts within the pipeline and global trade tensions,' it said. MBSB Investment has maintained its 'positive' stance for the sector, citing a combination of easing cost pressures, resilient private-sector demand, and improved public project execution. The bank noted that steel bar prices have continued to decline, down 9.91 per cent year-to-date and 19.5 per cent year-on-year, despite recent monthly fluctuations, while cement prices remain stable due to disciplined domestic production and raw material cost control, ensuring a favourable cost environment for contractors. 'These cost dynamics, combined with the gradual easing of labour constraints and the ability to pass through the Sales and Service Tax and tariff-related costs, continue to support profitability in ongoing projects. 'Momentum is also improving on the demand side,' it added. - Bernama

Barnama
9 hours ago
- Barnama
Construction Sector Set For More Job Flows In 2H 2025
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- The construction sector is expected to see increased job flows in the second half of this year (2H 2025), driven by the gradual rollout of major public-sector infrastructure projects, said MBSB Investment Bank Bhd. In a note today, the investment bank said earnings visibility is expected to improve in 2H 2025, supported by active industrial job flows such as the Penang light rail transit (LRT) Mutiara Line and data centre prospects, alongside the multi-year public infrastructure roadmap under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). It said the Penang LRT has officially commenced following the issuance of Notice to Proceed, while land acquisitions for Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) are underway, unlocking the RM31 billion civil works portion of the project pipeline. Demand for data centres also remains structurally strong, with contractors continuing to secure hyperscale mandates as part of Southeast Asia's digital infrastructure boom, underpinned by robust leasing activity, cost competitiveness, and long-term client partnerships. "Overall, we view this as a positive development despite the headwinds faced by the construction sector in 1H 2025, stemming from delays in project rollouts within the pipeline and global trade tensions," it said. MBSB Investment has maintained its 'positive' stance for the sector, citing a combination of easing cost pressures, resilient private-sector demand, and improved public project execution. The bank noted that steel bar prices have continued to decline, down 9.91 per cent year-to-date and 19.5 per cent year-on-year, despite recent monthly fluctuations, while cement prices remain stable due to disciplined domestic production and raw material cost control, ensuring a favourable cost environment for contractors. "These cost dynamics, combined with the gradual easing of labour constraints and the ability to pass through the Sales and Service Tax and tariff-related costs, continue to support profitability in ongoing projects. "Momentum is also improving on the demand side," it added.