Green Light For Penang LRT Project, Says PM

With the Prime Minister's strong commitment, a light rail transit (LRT) between George Town and the spread of hi-tech industries in Bayan Lepas appears to be taking shape. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced yesterday that the Federal Government would set aside funding for Penang to build its first LRT. He stated that the Cabinet had carefully examined the project and provided allocations under a "big scheme" so that the state government could implement it as soon as possible.

“I would like to take the opportunity to announce that the government will help to ease the problem of the project by relooking and minimising the scope of reclamation of the three islands "We will allocate the necessary funds so that the state government can expedite the implementation of the LRT," he said during a speech at the Malaysia Madani Hari Raya open house at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Permatang Pauh here.

Anwar stated that the Transport Minister, Anthony Loke had agreed to the proposal in principle and had met with Finance Ministry officials to discuss how to find a better way to fund the project. He stated that federal officials would meet with the state government in one or two weeks to discuss how to structure the financial scheme. The Bayan Lepas LRT project is one of the state's mega infrastructure projects, known as the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

The proposed LRT line runs for 22 kilometres from Komtar to Permatang Damar Laut, with a possible extension into three reclaimed islands. Loke also confirmed Anwar's pledge that the Federal Government would fund the LRT project. "The project will be fully funded by the government." "We will decide on a financing method later," he said at a press conference. In the same press conference, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow expressed his delight, calling it a "gift for the people of Penang." "This is something Penangites have been waiting for," he explained.