MCA questions delay in Penang LRT project construction
Published: Apr 20, 2025 3:18 PM
Updated: 5:54 PM
Summary
- MCA’s Tan Teik Cheng questions why the Penang LRT project hasn’t received the notice to commence despite a January launch.
- Tan wants to know if the government is using the groundbreaking ceremony as political optics.
MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng has raised concerns over the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project still waiting for the official notice to commence, despite a grand formal launch in January.
Tan (above) expressed disappointment that while the project had been touted as a flagship initiative of the unity government, no physical progress has been made.
The Penang party chairperson pointed out that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Transport Minister Anthony Loke had personally attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the LRT’s first station, the Sri Pinang City Station, on Jan 11.
“Yet, three months on, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has revealed that the project has not physically begun because the federal government’s wholly owned entity, Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), has yet to issue the official notice to commence works,” Tan said in a statement today.
All just for show?
This, he argued, has severely undermined the government’s credibility.
“A public transport project costing RM13 billion and drawing nationwide attention – and they’ve not even completed the most basic step of issuing a start-work notice?
“Was the grand groundbreaking ceremony nothing more than a political stunt?” he asked.
“If it’s a procedural issue or due to poor internal communication, the government should clarify and take responsibility to avoid further erosion of public trust,” he added.
Tan (above) expressed disappointment that while the project had been touted as a flagship initiative of the unity government, no physical progress has been made.
The Penang party chairperson pointed out that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Transport Minister Anthony Loke had personally attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the LRT’s first station, the Sri Pinang City Station, on Jan 11.
“Yet, three months on, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has revealed that the project has not physically begun because the federal government’s wholly owned entity, Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), has yet to issue the official notice to commence works,” Tan said in a statement today.
All just for show?
This, he argued, has severely undermined the government’s credibility.
“A public transport project costing RM13 billion and drawing nationwide attention – and they’ve not even completed the most basic step of issuing a start-work notice?
“Was the grand groundbreaking ceremony nothing more than a political stunt?” he asked.
“If it’s a procedural issue or due to poor internal communication, the government should clarify and take responsibility to avoid further erosion of public trust,” he added.
CM Chow Kon Yeow
‘We must wait’
According to Buletin Mutiara, Chow confirmed during a press conference yesterday that the Penang LRT Mutiara Line project cannot begin until MRT Corp issues the required notice.
The project’s implementing firm, SRS Consortium, is unable to proceed with any construction-related activities in the absence of the notice.
“I have been informed that the next step is for MRT Corp to issue the notice to SRS Consortium.
“Until then, we must wait, although other works unrelated to on-site construction must also be completed,” Chow said.
While awaiting the notice, the Penang government will continue with preparatory tasks to ensure smoother execution once construction officially starts, he added.
‘We must wait’
According to Buletin Mutiara, Chow confirmed during a press conference yesterday that the Penang LRT Mutiara Line project cannot begin until MRT Corp issues the required notice.
The project’s implementing firm, SRS Consortium, is unable to proceed with any construction-related activities in the absence of the notice.
“I have been informed that the next step is for MRT Corp to issue the notice to SRS Consortium.
“Until then, we must wait, although other works unrelated to on-site construction must also be completed,” Chow said.
While awaiting the notice, the Penang government will continue with preparatory tasks to ensure smoother execution once construction officially starts, he added.
A look around all the LRT expected construction sites, which actually been taken vacant possession by the MRT corp, shows ZERO construction activity.
ReplyDeleteInitial Biomass removal has been carried out, but nothing more since then.