Mutiara Line LRT: Early Stage Land Acquisition Underway - Loke

GEORGE TOWN, April 10 (Bernama) -- The Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project has shown positive progress, with land acquisition for Segments One and Two currently underway in stages, thus reflecting the continued progress of Penang's high-impact public transportation project.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that for Segment One, involving the alignment from Permatang Damar Laut to Macallum, a total of 61 privately owned land lots have completed the land hearing process under the Land Acquisition Act 1960.

"So far, the Department of the Director General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG) of Penang has issued 41 Form H, and MRT Corp has concluded compensation payments for 39 land lots.

"The Penang JKPTG has also issued 14 Form K for the purpose of handing over the site to the contractor and this process is expected to be completed in June,” he said at the ceremony for the handing over of the Pesta Sungai Nibong site between the Penang State Government and Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) at the Sungai Nibong Pesta site here today.

Earlier, Loke and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow witnessed the symbolic handover of a mock key, presented by State Financial Officer Datuk Zairi Mat Ali to MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Zarif Hashim.

Meanwhile, Loke said that 38 private land lots had been identified for the land acquisition process under Segment Two, involving the alignment from Macallum to Penang Sentral, and MRT Corp expects the gazettement under Section 8 of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 to be implemented in July, before site entry works begin in 2027. 

"For areas that have been acquired, the initial works of the project have already started, while the design process is also running simultaneously,” he said.

Loke said that the project's physical progress is increasingly visible along the alignment following the construction of flyover pillars or 'piers’ at several locations. 

He said the Public Inspection sessions for the Komtar-Penang Sentral alignment extension are being held at several strategic locations in the state, and that over 16,000 public feedback responses have been received, with 99 per cent of respondents supporting the proposed Mutiara Line extension so far.

The Mutiara Line LRT, which began construction in 2025 and is expected to be operational in December 2031, will span about 29.67 kilometres, with 20 stations and two provisional stations.

It also features a cross-sea link between Penang Island and the mainland, where the journey across the channel is expected to take about eight minutes compared to about 82 minutes by car during peak hours.

The Mutiara Line LRT aims to enhance connectivity between Penang Island and the mainland, thereby easing road congestion and improving accessibility.

-- BERNAMA