GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has denied that the land in Sungai Pinang, which will be used for the construction of the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) station, was previously earmarked for a low-cost and low-medium-cost housing development.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the land, designated for the LRT station, was originally meant for the construction of a school.
"It was intended for a school, and we have already discussed this with the Education Department.
"Since it has been identified as the site for the LRT station, if the LRT is built, the remaining land will no longer be sufficient for a school, and this has also already been discussed.
"Indeed, this land was never planned for housing," he told newsmen here today.
Earlier, Chow attended the state civil servant gathering.
Prior to this, Penang Gerakan urged Chow to clarify whether the land in Sungai Pinang that would be used for the construction of the LRT station was the same land that had been planned for low-cost and low-medium-cost housing.
Chow said the location for the launch of the LRT project this Saturday was chosen due to its suitability to facilitate the smooth conduct of the ceremony.
"The area was selected considering the spaciousness and better traffic flow, ensuring the event runs smoothly," he added.
Meanwhile, Chow said, as of Dec 2, last year, a total of 306 projects had been approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12) for Penang.
"Of these, 246 projects are new under Rolling Plan 4, and 60 are continuation projects.
"The total cost for Penang's projects is RM28.406 billion, with an allocation of RM1.356 billion approved for 2024.
"Of the 2024 allocation, RM1.108 billion, or 81.76 [per cent, has been spent," he said.
He added that the RMK12 would enter the Rolling Plan 5 (RP5) this year, with 10 priority projects for the state listed in the Penang Wishlist Module within the MyProjek system.
He said of these 10 projects, two were rejected, while eight had been accepted for consideration by the Economy Ministry.
It was reported that the much-anticipated Penang LRT project is set to begin soon.
According to CIMB Securities, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Mutiara Line is scheduled for Jan 11 at Bandar Sri Pinang.