GEORGE TOWN: The government has given its assurances that the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project will not be scrapped, even if there is a change of administration.
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said, just like any project, as long as the tender had not been awarded, the project could be scrapped if a new administration decides against it.
However, he said if the tender had been awarded, then the government would be liable to a suit if it decides to cancel any project.
"On this basis, looking at the Mutiara Line LRT project, I am optimistic that the current government will remain until the end of the term, hence the project will go on as planned.
"Looking at the current progress, that is going to be the case," he said when responding to a question from the floor during the Madani Mendengar bersama Menteri Ekonomi programme at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas here today.
Elaborating, Rafizi said all important decisions with regard to the Mutiara Line LRT project were at the federal level.
"We expect the tender (for the Mutiara Line LRT project) will be awarded and will proceed soon.
"The only risks we expect to face is cost increase and the delay in completion," he added.
Last month, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Mutiara Line LRT project was expected to kick off early next year.
He said discussions were being held with the main contractor as there were several matters which had to be finalised.
He said, thereafter, they would obtain approval from the Finance Ministry.(Hyperlink: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/1132843/work-penang-mutiara-l...)
The cabinet had approved the Mutiara Line LRT project during a meeting on March 22, this year, a decision welcomed by the Penang government.
The Mutiara Line LRT project, which is targeted to begin operations in 2030, starts from Penang Silicon Island to Komtar, then across to Penang Sentral in Seberang Prai.
The distance is estimated to be about 29km with 20 stations, including two interchange stations at Komtar Station and Penang Sentral Station.
Yesterday, Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd had said reclamation works for the Mutiara Line LRT project depot had started and would be handed to MRT Corp by the end of next year.
PIC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus had said a total of 24ha would be reclaimed for the depot by the end of next year.
He had said they would then hand over the depot area to MRT Corp, the Mutiara Line LRT owner and implementation agency, so that they could begin construction.