Mutiara line

The Mutiara line forms the backbone of the Penang Transport Master Plan, an initiative created by the Penang state government in 2015 to improve transport infrastructure throughout the state.{{Cite news |title=Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) |url=http://www.penangpropertytalk.com/penang-transport-master-plan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130225015/https://www.penangpropertytalk.com/penang-transport-master-plan/ |archive-date=2024-11-30 |access-date=2018-05-20 |work=Penang Property Talk |language=en-US}} The master plan includes several rapid transit lines, including one that spans the north{{En dash}}south axis of George Town's east coast between the city centre and Bayan Lepas.{{Cite web |last=Sin Chow |first=Tan |last2=Qalbi |first2=Siti Khairanni |date=2 April 2016 |title=Penang rolls out LRT scheme |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/04/02/penang-rolls-out-lrt-scheme-plans-submitted-to-spad-for-green-light/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929144859/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/04/02/penang-rolls-out-lrt-scheme-plans-submitted-to-spad-for-green-light/ |archive-date=29 September 2020 |access-date= |website=The Star}}{{Cite news |last= |date=17 Apr 2015 |title=Penang to ease island's transport woes |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/penang-to-ease-islands-transport-woes |access-date=20 May 2018 |work=The Straits Times |language=en}} {{As of|2018}}, average daily traffic along the city centre{{En dash}}Bayan Lepas axis reached 64,144 vehicles, further necessitating an alternative mode of transportation to serve the densely populated urban and industrial corridor.{{Cite journal |last=Joshua Woo Sze Zeng |date=9 July 2020 |title=Exploring a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Framework for Penang's Urban Growth |url=https://penanginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Exploring-Transit-Oriented-Development-Framework-for-Penang.pdf |url-status=live |journal=Penang Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227151848/https://penanginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Exploring-Transit-Oriented-Development-Framework-for-Penang.pdf |archive-date=27 December 2023 |access-date=27 December 2023}} In addition, the transit service would facilitate easier commutes for tourists arriving via the Penang International Airport.{{Cite news |last=Edmund Lee |date=8 May 2023 |title=Penangites and stakeholders laud LRT ‘gift’ |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/penangites-and-stakeholders-laud-lrt-gift/ |access-date=11 Jan 2025 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}

{{Maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=355|frame-height=500|zoom=12|frame-lat=5.35|frame-long=100.312|text=Mutiara LRT route and stations. Click to enlarge.|type=data|from=MutiaraLRT.map}}

In April 2015, news reports emerged about the proposed LRT line from Komtar to the Penang International Airport. The {{Convert|17.5|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} line was expected to cost around RM4.5 billion.{{Cite news |date=16 Apr 2015 |title=Penang to get first LRT project next year, report claims |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2015/04/16/penang-to-get-first-lrt-project-next-year-report-claims/879351 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Malay Mail}} Chow Kon Yeow, who held the position of Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Executive Councillor at the time, was quoted as saying that the LRT would take five to six years to complete.{{Cite news |date=17 Apr 2015 |title=Penang to ease island's transport woes |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/penang-to-ease-islands-transport-woes |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=The Straits Times}} Months later, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced the appointment of SRS Consortium as the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) for the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). The consortium consists of Gamuda Berhad as the majority shareholder, Penang-based Loh Phoy Yen Holdings and Ideal Property Development.{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=14 Aug 2015 |title=Local consortium wins bid for RM27b Penang transportation plan |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2015/08/14/local-consortium-wins-bid-for-rm27b-penang-transportation-plan/951679 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}

In December that year, SRS Consortium announced that the construction of the Bayan Lepas LRT would commence in 2018, with the goal of completing it by 2024.{{Cite news |last=Yimie Yong |date=2 Dec 2015 |title=Penang LRT construction work to start in 2018 |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/penang-lrt-construction-work-start-2018 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=The Edge}} The original route of the Bayan Lepas LRT was disclosed in February the following year.{{Cite web |date=2016-03-04 |title=Penang public transport plan revealed – LRT, BRT, monorail and trams to connect island to mainland - paultan.org |url=https://paultan.org/2016/03/04/penang-public-transport-plan-revealed-lrt-brt-monorail-and-trams-to-connect-island-to-mainland/ |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=Paul Tan's Automotive News |language=en-US}} The proposed route consisted of 19 stations spanning a 22 km (14 mi) stretch between Komtar and Permatang Damar Laut, with another eight stations planned for the proposed Penang South Islands (PSI) reclamation project, bringing the total length of the LRT line to {{Convert|30|km|abbr=on|adj=on}}.{{Cite web |date=2019-07-13 |title=Bayan Lepas LRT – Penang Master Plan |url=https://pgmasterplan.penang.gov.my/en/2019/07/bayan-lepas-lrt/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217135441/https://pgmasterplan.penang.gov.my/en/2019/07/bayan-lepas-lrt/ |archive-date=2023-12-17 |access-date=2024-03-29 |language=en-US}}

As public transportation falls under the ambit of the Malaysian federal government, in March 2016, the state government submitted the proposed Bayan Lepas LRT system to the federal Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) for approval.{{Cite journal |last=Gooi |first=Hsiao Leung |author-link=Gooi Hsiao Leung |last2=Ooi |first2=Kee Beng |author-link2=Ooi Kee Beng |last3=Francis Loh |first3=Kok Wah |date=June 2022 |title=Enabling Decentralisation and Improving Federal-State Relations in the Federation of Malaysia |url=https://penanginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/web_version_final.pdf |url-status=live |journal=Penang Institute |pages=29–31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101083522/https://penanginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/web_version_final.pdf |archive-date=1 January 2025}}{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Sin Chow |date=2 Apr 2016 |title=Penang rolls out LRT scheme |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/04/02/penang-rolls-out-lrt-scheme-plans-submitted-to-spad-for-green-light/ |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=The Star}}{{Cite news |date=19 Jun 2017 |title=Cost of Penang's transport master plan has not surged: Chow |url=https://thesun.my/archive/cost-penangs-transport-master-plan-has-not-surged-chow-0-HTARCH454329 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=The Sun}} An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was also submitted to the federal Department of Environment (DOE) in 2017.

Funding became a contentious issue, as at that point, Penang was an opposition state governed by the Pakatan Rakyat bloc (now Pakatan Harapan).{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=27 Jun 2019 |title=So what exactly is the Penang Transport Master Plan and how is it being funded? |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/06/27/so-what-exactly-is-the-penang-transport-master-plan-and-how-is-it-being-fun/1765894 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}{{Cite news |last=Azhar |first=Kamarul |date=27 Aug 2020 |title=Cover Story: The long & winding saga of the Penang Transport Master Plan and its political fallout |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/cover-story-long-winding-saga-penang-transport-master-plan-and-its-political-fallout |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=The Edge}} The Najib Razak administration had ignored requests by the state government for federal funding, forcing the state to resort to the PSI reclamation project to fund the PTMP.{{Cite news |date=1 Jun 2015 |title=RMK-11, permohonan P. Pinang tidak dilayan – KM |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/rmk-11-permohonan-p-pinang-tidak-dilayan-km/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105005239/https://www.buletinmutiara.com/rmk-11-permohonan-p-pinang-tidak-dilayan-km/ |archive-date=5 January 2025 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara |language=MS}} The state estimated that the sale of the reclaimed islets would generate RM70 billion in revenue, which would help finance the cost of PTMP. Additionally, the development of the islets was projected to result in economic spillover of RM100 billion.

The PSI project became a political issue prior to the elections in 2018, with the incumbent Barisan Nasional federal government opposing the reclamation on the grounds of protecting the livelihoods of the affected fishermen.{{Cite news |date=26 Aug 2017 |title=Fate of Penang Transport Master Plan hangs in the balance (Updated) |url=https://thesun.my/archive/fate-penang-transport-master-plan-hangs-balance-updated-XTARCH475211 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=The Sun}} The PTMP, along with the PSI, formed part of Pakatan Harapan's (PH) 68-point election manifesto for Penang.{{Cite news |last=Amarthalingam |first=Sangeetha |date=27 Apr 2018 |title=Penang Pakatan sticks to undersea tunnel, LRT in manifesto |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/penang-pakatan-sticks-undersea-tunnel-lrt-manifesto |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=The Edge}} Consequently, the Bayan Lepas LRT, which was dependent on the reclamation project, did not receive approval until after the elections when PH came into federal power. In 2019, the federal Ministry of Transport gave conditional approval for the Bayan Lepas LRT. The estimated cost of the line had increased to RM8.4 billion.{{Cite news |last=Idris |first=Ahmad Naqib |date=18 Jul 2019 |title=Penang gets conditional nod for Bayan Lepas LRT |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/penang-gets-conditional-nod-bayan-lepas-lrt |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=The Edge}}

Detailed plans of the Bayan Lepas LRT were put on public display in 2019 as part of the conditional approval.{{Cite news |date=27 Jul 2019 |title=Public inspection of Penang LRT plan from Aug 19 |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/07/27/public-inspection-of-penang-lrt-plan-from-aug-19/ |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Free Malaysia Today}} Despite dissent from certain interest groups, the LRT received close to 98% support from the public.{{Cite news |last=Nambiar |first=Predeep |date=29 Aug 2019 |title=Overwhelming public approval for Penang's LRT project, says CM |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/08/29/overwhelming-public-approval-for-penangs-lrt-project-says-cm/ |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=Free Malaysia Today}}{{Cite news |date=27 Nov 2019 |title=97% support for the Penang LRT project: Chow |url=https://thesun.my/local_news/97-support-for-the-penang-lrt-project-chow-AG1668376 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=The Sun}} Chow, who succeeded Lim as Chief Minister after the election, stated that construction of the LRT would begin in 2020, and that the state government had secured a sovereign guarantee from the PH administration to issue bonds for the LRT.{{Cite news |date=13 Feb 2020 |title=PTMP: Construction work on LRT, PIL, PSR to begin by Q4 2020 , says Chow |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/13/ptmp-construction-work-on-lrt-pil-psr-to-begin-by-q4-2020-says-chow/1837288 |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=7 Nov 2019 |title=Armed with federal guarantee, Penang eyes bonds to fund RM46b transport blueprint |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/11/07/armed-with-federal-guarantee-penang-eyes-bonds-to-fund-rm46b-transport-blue/1807734 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}

Following the 2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis, the federal government rescinded the guarantee for a US$500 million loan application to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for financing the Bayan Lepas LRT.{{Cite news |last=Zainul |first=Emir |date=28 Nov 2020 |title=Putrajaya pulls back govt guarantee for Penang's US$500m loan to finance LRT project |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/putrajaya-pulls-back-govt-guarantee-penangs-us500m-loan-finance-lrt-project |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=The Edge}} PH politicians from Penang subsequently accused the Perikatan Nasional administration of "political vendetta".{{Cite news |date=28 Nov 2020 |title=DAP MP slams Putrajaya for cancelling RM2 bil loan guarantee for Penang LRT |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/11/28/dap-mp-slams-putrajaya-for-cancelling-rm2-bil-loan-guarantee-for-penang-lrt/ |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=Free Malaysia Today}} In the midst of the political feuding and the nationwide quarantine imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state government announced that they would pursue other financing options for the LRT project.{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=1 Dec 2020 |title=Penang LRT project to go on with other financing options, says Chow |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/12/01/penang-lrt-project-to-go-on-with-other-financing-options-says-chow/1927698 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}{{Cite news |last=Sekaran |first=R. |date=20 Jun 2020 |title=Mega projects in Penang to go ahead |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/06/20/mega-projects-in-penang-to-go-ahead |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=The Star}} By then, the project was estimated to cost RM9.5 billion.

In 2022, the state government initiated a request for proposal (RFP) to obtain private funding and pre-qualify potential operators of the Bayan Lepas LRT.{{Cite news |last=Sekaran |first=R. |date=4 Jun 2022 |title=Penang to roll out the LRT |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/06/04/penang-to-roll-out-the-lrt |url-access=subscription |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=The Star}} The RFP received eight submissions from local and international consortiums by the end of the year, with the state government planning to commence construction in 2023.{{Cite news |last=Vimal |first=Kevin |date=25 Oct 2022 |title=CM Chow: Bayan Lepas LRT project should go as planned if we follow the timeline |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/cm-chow-bayan-lepas-lrt-project-should-go-as-planned-if-we-follow-the-timeline/ |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}{{Cite news |date=21 Oct 2022 |title=Bayan Lepas LRT construction expected to start in Q4 2023 |url=https://thesun.my/home_news/bayan-lepas-lrt-construction-expected-to-start-in-q42023-AA10018811 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=The Sun}}

The federal election in 2022 resulted in a coalition government headed by PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim. As Prime Minister, Anwar announced additional federal allocations in May 2023 to expedite the development of the Bayan Lepas LRT line.{{Cite news |last=McIntyre |first=Ian |date=6 May 2023 |title=Putrajaya to provide additional funds for Penang's LRT: Anwar |url=https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/91985/putrajaya-to-provide-additional-funds-for-penangs-lrt-anwar |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=The Vibes}} With more funds being made available, the state government decided to scale down the PSI project from three to one islet (Silicon Island).{{Cite news |last=Christopher Tan |date=11 May 2023 |title=Penang South Islands project scaled down to one island – Silicon Island |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/penang-south-islands-project-scaled-down-to-one-island-silicon-island/ |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}

After months of studies, in 2024, the federal government took over the LRT line, renaming it the Mutiara LRT Line.{{Cite news |date=29 Mar 2024 |title=Loke: Federal gov't takes over Penang LRT Mutiara Line project from state gov't |url=https://thesun.my/local_news/loke-federal-gov-t-takes-over-penang-lrt-mutiara-line-project-from-state-gov-t-JG12275905 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114154858/https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/loke-federal-gov-t-takes-over-penang-lrt-mutiara-line-project-from-state-gov-t-JG12275905 |archive-date=14 January 2025 |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=The Sun}}{{Cite news |last=Azhar |first=Kamarul |date=19 Sep 2023 |title=Government committed to both MRT3 and Penang LRT, says MOT |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/682032 |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=The Edge}} Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) was appointed the developer and asset owner, while SRS Consortium was offered the contract for civil engineering of the first segment, which stretches from the Silicon Island to Komtar. Significant changes were made to the alignment, including a cross-strait extension from Komtar to Penang Sentral at Butterworth and a proposed depot at Sungai Nibong.{{Cite web |last=梁杰华 |date=2024-03-29 |title=曹观友：横跨槟威海峡 槟城将迎轻快铁大桥 - 地方 - 北马新闻 |trans-title=Chow Kon Yeow: Stretches across the Penang Strait, Penang will have a LRT bridge - Local - Northen Malaysia news |url=https://northern.sinchew.com.my/news/20240329/northern/5496927 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330182557/https://northern.sinchew.com.my/news/20240329/northern/5496927 |archive-date=2024-03-30 |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=星洲网 Sin Chew Daily Malaysia Latest News and Headlines |language=zh}} Following negotiations between federal and state authorities, the alignment was shortened to {{Convert|29.5|km|abbr=on}}, while the Macallum and Sungai Dua stations were designated as interchange stations.{{Cite news |last=McIntyre |first=Ian |date=5 Jul 2024 |title=Penang shortens LRT line, cuts number of stations |url=https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/102644/penang-shortens-lrt-line-cuts-number-ofstations |access-date=5 Jul 2024 |work=The Vibes}} Komtar was intended to function as an interchange station for future metro lines in George Town.{{Cite news |last=Dermawan |first=Audrey |date=11 Jan 2025 |title=PM launches Penang Mutiara Line LRT project, operations set for 2031 |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/01/1159349/pm-launches-penang-mutiara-line-lrt-project-operations-set-2031 |access-date=11 Jan 2025 |work=New Straits Times}}

{{stack|File:cmglee_Penang_LRT_groundbreaking_ceremony_12_crop.jpg Anwar Ibrahim at the groundbreaking ceremony in 2025]]}}File:Zoomed in view of the Bandar Seri Pinang LRT station site in George Town Penang Jan 2025.jpg

Construction is divided into three phases.{{Cite web |date=11 January 2025 |title=FAQs – Mutiara LRT Line |url=https://laluanmutiara.mymrt.com.my/faqs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250114154332/https://laluanmutiara.mymrt.com.my/faqs/ |archive-date=14 January 2025 |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Mutiara Line |publisher=MRT Corp}} SRS Consortium is responsible for the first segment {{En dash}} civil construction of the elevated section between the Komtar station and Silicon Island.{{cite web |title=Penang Mutiara Line (MTL) |url=https://gamuda.com.my/our-expertise/engineering-construction/penang-mutiara-line-mtl/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Gamuda Berhad |publisher=Gamuda Berhad |language=en}} The second phase consists of a {{Convert|5.8|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} cross-strait extension from the Macallum station to Penang Sentral at Butterworth, with an open tender anticipated to be called by July 2025.{{Cite news |last=Akmal |first=Riadz |date=11 Jan 2025 |title=Penang celebrates historic groundbreaking of Mutiara LRT Line project |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/penang-celebrates-historic-groundbreaking-of-mutiara-lrt-line-project/ |access-date=11 Jan 2025 |work=Buletin Mutiara}} The cross-strait section will involve the construction of a bridge spanning shipping lanes, which necessitates negotiations between MRT Corp and the Penang Port Commission to ensure its design has sufficient clearance for cargo vessels.{{Cite news |date=11 Jan 2025 |title=MRT Corp to sign contract for LRT Mutiara line’s first segment from Penang’s Silicon Island to Komtar on Monday, says CEO |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/11/mrt-corp-to-sign-contract-for-lrt-mutiara-lines-first-segment-from-penangs-silicon-island-to-komtar-on-monday-says-ceo/162873 |access-date=11 Jan 2025 |work=Malay Mail}} In December 2024, MRT Corp announced an open tender for the third phase, which seeks to appoint a turnkey contractor for the engineering, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning and maintenance of the rail system.{{Cite news |date=2 Jan 2025 |title=Penang CM moots combining LRT, airport expansion works to minimise pain to public |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/02/penang-cm-moots-combining-lrt-airport-expansion-works-to-minimise-pain-to-public/161849 |access-date=5 Jan 2025 |work=Malay Mail}}{{Cite web |date=13 Dec 2024 |title=Notice of tender |url=https://www.mymrt.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ENG-MTL-STC.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105093340/https://www.mymrt.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ENG-MTL-STC.pdf |archive-date=5 January 2025 |access-date=5 Jan 2025 |website=Mass Rapid Transit Corporation}}

The Bandar Sri Pinang station was also announced as the first station scheduled for construction.{{Cite news |last=Hilmy |first=Imran |date=31 Dec 2024 |title=Penang Mutiara LRT project groundbreaking ceremony in January, 2025 |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/12/31/penang-mutiara-lrt-project-groundbreaking-ceremony-in-january-2025 |access-date=31 Dec 2024 |work=The Star}} A groundbreaking ceremony was held on 11 January 2025. Prime Minister Anwar, who presided over the ceremony, expressed hope that the LRT line preserves Penang's unique identity while setting "new standards for infrastructure in Malaysia", and reiterated its potential to "stimulate high-value investments, foster new industries, and bring economic benefits to Penang and the northern corridor as a whole". The line is expected to be operational by 2031.

The following stations were finalised by the Penang state government and Mass Rapid Transit Corporation {{As of|2024|November|lc=y}}.{{Cite news |last=Akmal |first=Riadz |date=25 Nov 2024 |title=Penang LRT Mutiara Line to feature 21 stations, connecting island and mainland |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/penang-lrt-mutiara-line-to-feature-21-stations-connecting-island-and-mainland/ |access-date=25 Nov 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}

• Malaysian national projects
• Rail transport in Malaysia
• Rapid Penang
• Transport in Penang

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://laluanmutiara.mymrt.com.my/ Official website of the Mutiara LRT]

{{Public transport in Penang}}

{{Rail transport in Malaysia}}

{{Urban Rail Transit in ASEAN}}

Category:Penang Integrated Transportation Masterplan

Category:Rail transport in Penang

Category:Proposed rail infrastructure in Malaysia