MRT Corp confirms green light for Penang LRT construction
PETALING JAYA : MRT Corp has confirmed issuing a notice to proceed (NTP) to SRS Consortium on Tuesday, paving the way for full-scale construction of the Penang LRT project to begin.
In a statement today, the company said the NTP was issued after the consortium fulfilled all of the key contractual conditions, with the civil works package officially taking effect on June 23.
It said preliminary soil testing and environmental checks were ongoing, with advanced works like piling and utility relocation slated to begin in August. Major construction is expected to commence in late 2026.
MRT Corp also announced the appointment of MMSB Consult Sdn Bhd as the project's independent consultant engineer, tasked with reviewing each phase of the project, from design to operations, to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
'The scope of work includes a thorough review of the design, construction, testing and commissioning, and operation and maintenance phases, ensuring adherence to all relevant project requirements, standards and regulations,' it said.
The RM8.31 billion contract was awarded in January, but work was delayed until MRT Corp gave the go-ahead in the form of the NTP.
The project covers a 24km stretch from Komtar in George Town to Island A in the Penang South Island project, with 19 stations and supporting works.
The federal government took over the LRT project through MRT Corp from the Penang government in March last year.
SRS Consortium includes Loh Phoy Yen Holdings Sdn Bhd and Ideal Property Development Sdn Bhd, each holding a 20% stake. MRT Corp, a unit of the finance ministry, is the asset owner and project manager.
Two more packages remain. The second, a 5.5km cross-strait segment, is now out for tender. The third, a turnkey systems contract, closes for bids on Aug 11.
The Mutiara Line will span 29.5km overall with 21 stations, linking a reclaimed island near the airport to Komtar and onward via a cross-channel bridge to Butterworth. MRT Corp has pegged the full cost at RM13 billion, with completion targeted by 2031.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
16 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
SIC aims for 200,000 spectators at 2025 Malaysia MotoGP, adds first-ever pre-race EDM festival
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is maintaining its target of attracting 200,000 spectators to watch the World Motorcycle Championship (MotoGP) over three days at the 2025 Malaysian Grand Prix (GP) on October 24-26. SIC Chief Executive Officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said the company was aware of the high target compared to the previous edition but was still determined to realise it this year. Last year's Malaysian GP recorded a three-day attendance of 184,923 spectators. 'We have reached 75 per cent of the ticket capacity sold and this year we are introducing some exciting features including the first-ever pre-race electronic dance music (EDM) festival. 'The target of 200,000 spectators is quite bold but of course with the support of everyone we know we can achieve it,' said Shafriman during the launch of the 2025 Malaysian GP here yesterday. Also present at the launch was Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh who said the race will be preceded by two EDMs on October 18-19. 'RM1 from every ticket sold will also be channelled to the National Sports Trust Fund (KWASN) which will support the development of Malaysian athletes. 'SIC is also introducing a special Buy One-One Free promotion for Malaysia GP Rahmah tickets priced at RM49.90 each. The promotion which started at 12 noon yesterday will end at 8pm tomorrow (today),' she said. — Bernama
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Ringgit rises as softer US inflation boosts rate cut expectations
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — The ringgit extended its uptrend against the US dollar on Wednesday, supported by a 0.43 per cent drop in the US Dollar Index (DXY) to 98.097 after the headline US inflation rate came in lower than expected. At 8am, the local note rose to 4.2115/2285 against the greenback from Tuesday's close of 4.2290/2320. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ringgit is likely to be well supported today, with the US dollar-ringgit (USD/MYR) expected to trade between RM4.20 and RM4.23 amid a high probability of a US interest rate cut. He noted that the softer US inflation rate of 2.7 per cent in July was largely driven by a moderation in the Owner's Equivalent Rent (OER) to 4.1 per cent, after holding at 4.2 per cent for two straight months. OER accounts for about 25 per cent of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) weightage, he said. 'The US benchmark equity indices rose more than one per cent, while the yield on the two-year US Treasury note fell by four basis points to 3.73 per cent. 'This suggests that the lower-than-expected headline inflation has strengthened expectations for a US rate cut, fuelling the rally in the equities market,' he told Bernama. At the opening, the ringgit, however, traded mostly lower against major currencies. It fell versus the Japanese yen to 2.8502/8619 from Tuesday's close of 2.8490/8512 and declined against the euro to 4.9182/9380 from 4.9090/9125 yesterday. But against the the British pound, the local note appreciated to 5.6876/7106 from 5.6905/6946. The ringgit trended higher against regional peers. It advanced against the Singapore dollar to 3.2825/2960 from 3.2867/2893 at yesterday's close and strengthened versus the Thai baht to 12.9965/13.0570 from 13.0135/0300. The local note also appreciated versus the Indonesian rupiah to 258.5/259.6 from 259.6/259.9 previously and rose vis-a-vis the Philippine peso to 7.38/7.41 from 7.41/7.42. — Bernama
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
MACC arrests Sabah duo over fake machinery, certification claims worth over RM3.6m
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Sabah has detained two businesspersons on suspicion of submitting claims containing false details for the supply of machinery and equipment, as well as certification under the Small and Medium Industry (SMI) Assistance Programme worth more than RM3.6 million. According to an MACC source, the two suspects — a man and a woman in their 50s — were detained at about 11 am yesterday when they turned up at the Sabah MACC office to have their statements recorded. 'Initial investigations found that the suspects had submitted two claims containing false particulars under the SMI Assistance Programme to the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR) in 2022 and 2023. 'One of the claims was for the supply of retort machines and entrepreneurs' equipment worth over RM400,000, while the other involved MeSTI, My Food and halal certification services worth over RM3.2 million,' the source said. Meanwhile, Sabah MACC director Datuk S. Karunanithy, when contacted, confirmed the arrests and said the case was being investigated under Section 18 and Section 28(1)(c) of the MACC Act 2009. Karunanithy said both suspects were released after posting RM1,000 from the RM10,000 bail imposed on them and would be charged at the Kota Kinabalu Special Corruption Sessions Court this Thursday. Meanwhile, in SELANGOR, the state MACC detained a company director for allegedly submitting documents containing false details involving travel claims and the purchase of air conditioners amounting to about RM33,000. According to a source, the female suspect, in her 50s, was detained at about 1 pm yesterday when she turned up at the Selangor MACC office to give her statement. 'Initial investigations revealed that the suspect is believed to have committed the offence between 2022 and 2023. 'She is believed to have submitted travel claim documents and air conditioner purchase claims totalling about RM33,000 when both transactions were never carried out,' the source said. Selangor MACC deputy director Khairul Izwan Karim, when contacted, confirmed the arrest and said the case was being investigated under Section 471 of the Penal Code, and that the suspect would be charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court tomorrow. — Bernama
