Latest news with #MRTCorp
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Mutiara Line LRT land probe to determine compensation
GEORGE TOWN: The exact number of residents affected by the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project will only be determined once an investigation under Section 12 of the Land Acquisition Act (LAA) 1960 is conducted. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the investigation would be conducted soon, as the gazetting of Section 8 of the LAA 1960 was only completed on April 10. 'The quantum of compensation will only be finalised after the investigation process under section 12 of the LAA 1960, on all stakeholders, is completed. As of now, the compensation assessment process has not yet been implemented, and this will be determined by the Land Tribunal,' he said. He said this in his reply to an oral question from Muhamad Kasim (PN-Telok Bahang) on the progress of site preparation work and the route of the Mutiara Line LRT project, as well as the number of residents affected by land or property acquisition and the compensation involved. Zairil said the LRT project is currently at the land acquisition stage, which has been gazetted under the LAA 1960 by the State Land and Mines Office, in collaboration with the project owner, Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), for the lots involved in Segment 1 of the line, stretching from Komtar to Permatang Damar Laut. He said permission had been given to MRT Corp to use 86 government land lots so far, while preliminary works are underway following approval under Section 20A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976. Zairil added that the Mutiara Line LRT project is currently in the preliminary preparation phase, with a key focus on relocating existing utilities, an essential step that must be completed before the construction of any stations or flyovers can begin. He also said that the state government is committed to ensuring the project is implemented transparently and efficiently in accordance with the set schedule, and has taken several proactive measures to that end. Among them is the requirement for MRT Corp to submit monthly progress reports to the State Executive Council (MMK) meetings, chaired by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, to enable periodic monitoring of the project's development. 'In addition, construction activities are being closely monitored by the local authorities (PBT), and a mega project traffic management task force has been established in Penang specifically to oversee and ensure the smooth implementation of the project,' he said. The physical works for the project, estimated to cost around RM13 billion based on the latest scope and design, are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with large-scale construction slated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026. The 29.5-kilometre Mutiara Line LRT will feature 21 strategically located stations and is designed to enhance connectivity between Penang Island and the mainland, reduce road congestion, and improve overall accessibility.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang LRT: Compensation quantum pending completion of land acquisition probe
GEORGE TOWN: The exact number of residents affected by the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project will only be determined once an investigation under Section 12 of the Land Acquisition Act (LAA) 1960 is conducted. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the investigation would be conducted soon, as the gazetting of Section 8 of the LAA 1960 was only completed on April 10. 'The quantum of compensation will only be finalised after the investigation process under section 12 of the LAA 1960, on all stakeholders, is completed. As of now, the compensation assessment process has not yet been implemented, and this will be determined by the Land Tribunal,' he said. He said this in his reply to an oral question from Muhamad Kasim (PN-Telok Bahang) on the progress of site preparation work and the route of the Mutiara Line LRT project, as well as the number of residents affected by land or property acquisition and the compensation involved. Zairil said the LRT project is currently at the land acquisition stage, which has been gazetted under the LAA 1960 by the State Land and Mines Office, in collaboration with the project owner, Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), for the lots involved in Segment 1 of the line, stretching from Komtar to Permatang Damar Laut. He said permission had been given to MRT Corp to use 86 government land lots so far, while preliminary works are underway following approval under Section 20A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976. Zairil added that the Mutiara Line LRT project is currently in the preliminary preparation phase, with a key focus on relocating existing utilities, an essential step that must be completed before the construction of any stations or flyovers can begin. He also said that the state government is committed to ensuring the project is implemented transparently and efficiently in accordance with the set schedule, and has taken several proactive measures to that end. Among them is the requirement for MRT Corp to submit monthly progress reports to the State Executive Council (MMK) meetings, chaired by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, to enable periodic monitoring of the project's development. 'In addition, construction activities are being closely monitored by the local authorities (PBT), and a mega project traffic management task force has been established in Penang specifically to oversee and ensure the smooth implementation of the project,' he said. The physical works for the project, estimated to cost around RM13 billion based on the latest scope and design, are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with large-scale construction slated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026. The 29.5-kilometre Mutiara Line LRT will feature 21 strategically located stations and is designed to enhance connectivity between Penang Island and the mainland, reduce road congestion, and improve overall accessibility.
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Reveal cost and traffic impact of LRT project, says Penang opposition chief
GEORGE TOWN: State opposition leader Muhammad Fauzi Yusuff wants the Penang government to disclose the cost and Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) Report of the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project. He said although the project was now under federal purview, the public deserved clear and detailed explanations as it was a major infrastructure project. "We, as the opposition, do not reject development and are not against the need for modern infrastructure that can improve the quality of life for Penangites. "However, it is my responsibility to ensure that every sen of public funds is spent with integrity and that all mega projects are executed transparently," he said in the state legislature. Fauzi was debating the motion of thanks for Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib's speech when opening the sitting last Friday. Fauzi (Pas-Sungai Dua) said the costs of the LRT and Pan Island Link (PIL) highway projects should be disclosed as they involved billions of ringgit in public funds. "Is the LRT truly the best solution to traffic congestion? Is it really worth it? What about the land acquisition process — was it completed before the project began, and how many families and businesses will be affected? "These are the questions that the state government must clarify so that the public is well informed about this mega project. "We also want to know whether preliminary studies were done on relocating underground utilities, such as water pipes, sewerage and cables. "If not managed properly, it could lead to delays and additional costs," he added. Fauzi said the TIA report should be a fundamental document before any mega project was initiated and ought to be released to the public. "We know that once construction begins, traffic congestion will worsen. "So, what mitigation measures have been prepared to deal with this during construction?" Fauzi also questioned how well-aligned were the stations with the mobility patterns of Penang residents. "What percentage of the state's population will actually use the LRT service? "Why not first strengthen the existing public bus system and expand the more flexible and cost-effective Demand-responsive Transport (DRT) service?" he said. Fauzi also raised concerns about the tourism aspect linked to the LRT project, noting that the distance from the station near the Penang International Airport is 200m, whereas the current Rapid bus service could take passengers directly to the departure hall. In addition, he demanded clarification on the proposed LRT line extension from the island to the mainland, reportedly continuing to Penang Sentral. "The question is, will the line be built through an undersea tunnel or an elevated bridge across the sea? This is a major issue that should be clarified from the outset," he said. It was reported that construction of the LRT was expected to start in the fourth quarter of next year. Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said, based on the progress, the contractor, SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd (SRS), would soon begin soil investigations along the Mutiara Line route.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
‘Land beside Jinjang MRT station not suitable for carpark'
StarMetro report on May 3. THE vacant land beside the Jinjang MRT station in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, is not suitable for building parking facilities due to height and land size restrictions, says Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp). In a statement to StarMetro, MRT Corp, however, said it was exploring locations within the station's vicinity to build more parking facilities. 'We recognise the growing demand for parking facilities in the area. 'We are committed to improving commuter convenience and supporting the long-term operational needs of the MRT network,' it said, adding that park-and-ride facilities were also available at nearby MRT stations for commuters' usage. 'At the Jinjang MRT station, 239 car parking bays are available for public use,' said MRT Corp. 'Commuters also have access to nearby park-and-ride facilities at the Metro Prima MRT station (212 bays), Sri Damansara Timur MRT station (173 bays), Kentonmen MRT station (165 bays) and Kampung Batu MRT station (313 bays),' it said. All these stations are part of the Putrajaya MRT line, according to MRT Corp's website. In a StarMetro article titled 'Empty land next to Jinjang MRT should be turned into carpark' published on May 3, community activist Yee Poh Ping called for a carpark to be built on the land beside the Jinjang MRT station to address the inadequate capacity of existing park-and-ride facilities. Located in a railway protection zone, the land (Lot 55080) had been rented out to a private company to build a temporary showroom for used cars. The decision was supported by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), which found that the proposed development would not jeopardise the safety of the existing train structure and operations. Every development project that falls under a railway protection zone requires APAD's approval, as prescribed in the Railways (Railway Protection Zone) Regulations 1998.
The Star
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
‘Empty land next to Jinjang MRT should be turned into carpark'
Yee says a new carpark built on the land beside the Jinjang MRT station will be able to cater to dozens of cars. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star A CARPARK should be built on land alongside the Jinjang MRT station, community activist Yee Poh Ping suggested. He said the existing park-and-ride facilities next to the station in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, was inadequate to meet the demand. Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) should provide a solution to the parking woes, he said. 'The three parking lots at the station fill up early in the morning as people park there to take the MRT to work. 'This forces a lot of commuters to park at the pick-up and drop-off points, even at the parking spots reserved for people with disabilities,' he said during a press conference at the area. He said while the government promoted the usage of public transport, it needed to ensure enough park-and-ride facilities for users' convenience. Previously, Yee had also raised his concerns about hoarding structures and canvas being stacked up on that land over the Chinese New Year holidays. A letter by APAD sent to Yee last March 11 stated that the agency did not object to MRT Corp's decision to rent the government land (Lot 55080), located in a railway protection zone, to a private company. Every development project that falls under a railway protection zone requires APAD's approval, as prescribed in the Railways (Railway Protection Zone) Regulations 1998. A temporary showroom for used cars, two office cabins and a toilet would be built on the land, according to another letter by APAD sent to the private company last Jan 27. Yee questioned the decision, saying that a new carpark would be able to solve the parking issue there as well as the surrounding residential areas, as motorists have taken to parking there before going to the station. 'Using the land for commercial purposes would also create a series of environmental issues, especially if the structure doesn't have good sanitary facilities and drainage system. He said MRT Corp and APAD should have considered the factors before approving the used car showroom project. Yee also urged DBKL to carefully evaluate all development permit applications for government land. When contacted, APAD said it had issued a no-objection letter to MRT Corp's decision to rent the land to the private company after it found that the proposed development would not jeopardise the safety of the existing train structure and operations. 'However, any construction on the land would require DBKL's approval,' it added. On the park-and-ride facilities, APAD said there were 239 parking lots at the Jinjang MRT station. 'There are also 212 parking lots at the Metro Prima MRT station, which is about 1km away from the Jinjang MRT station, that can be used by MRT users. 'APAD constantly reminds MRT Corp to monitor the usage level of existing parking lots and provides recommendations for new and suitable locations to be turned into parking bays based on local needs,' it said. MRT Corp and DBKL had not responded to queries at press time.
