PENANG LRT EXTENSION TO SEBERANG PERAI TO ENSURE BALANCED GROWTH – PM ANWAR

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- The federal government will extend the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project alignment to Seberang Perai to ensure balanced development in the state that benefits all segments of the people, regardless of race, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said he personally decided after reviewing the original proposal, which only involved areas on the island without connecting the line to the mainland.

“They (opposition) asked why the cost of the Penang LRT project is so high and why the price has increased. When the state government presented the plan to me, the LRT project only covered the island, and as someone born in Penang and raised in Seberang Perai, I did not want the project to stop there.

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“So I proposed that the LRT cross the sea to Seberang Perai, and the project will extend to Penang Sentral in Seberang Perai. Otherwise, people would say we only care about the island, only about Chinese interests, and not about the mainland or the Malays. This is an unproductive polemic,” he said. 

He said this when speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the traffic dispersal project between Juru Toll Plaza and Sungai Dua Toll Plaza (PTJSD) at the Seberang Jaya Expo Site here today, which was also attended by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Also present were Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Anwar said the extension of the line to Seberang Perai would ensure that areas such as Permatang Pauh, Bagan and Nibong Tebal also benefit from the modern transport system, while enhancing connectivity between both regions of the state.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, dismissed claims by certain quarters that the project cost had increased due to uncertainties, explaining instead that the rise was a result of the decision to extend the line to Seberang Perai.

The Mutiara Line LRT is the first LRT route outside the Klang Valley, involving the construction of a 29.5-kilometre line with 21 strategic stations. It is designed to improve connectivity between Penang Island and the mainland, reduce road congestion and enhance accessibility.

Its main alignment plan covers the route from the Penang South Reclamation (PSR-A) area to Penang Sentral and the Komtar Station in George Town, with train services scheduled to operate alternately along the route.

Meanwhile, Anwar also urged all parties involved to expedite the implementation of infrastructure upgrade projects in the country, including the PTJSD, to reduce congestion and deliver immediate benefits to the people.

The project, which covers the areas of Juru, Sungai Dua, Permatang Pauh and the Penang border, had been delayed for some time but can now proceed thanks to cooperation among various agencies, including the Malaysian Highway Authority, PLUS Malaysia Bhd and the Public Works Department.

“Although the projected completion period is between 24 and 48 months, I do not want it to be delayed. Expedite the implementation so that the people can enjoy comfort and economic savings sooner,” he added.

The RM3 billion PTJSD project is expected to shorten travel time from one hour to 20 minutes during peak hours, reducing traffic congestion as 30 per cent of users are expected to switch to the new direct Juru-Sungai Dua route.

-- BERNAMA