Gamuda Gets Nod To Begin Work On Penang LRT

The Mutiara Line LRT project is now officially in motion, entering its construction phase after receiving the Notice to Proceed (NTP), awarded to Gamuda Bhd on Tuesday.

MRT Corp CEO Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim told NST that the green light was given after all contract conditions were met.

“We’ve already begun early groundwork ahead of the NTP to make sure everything moves smoothly into the next phase. This includes soil tests, pile checks, environmental monitoring, and site surveys," he says in the NST report. The project’s first phase has been awarded to the SRS Consortium, led by Gamuda (60%), with Loh Phoy Yen Holdings and Ideal Property Development each holding 20%.

Early works like utility relocation, piling, and site prep are set to begin next month, with full-scale civil construction expected to start in Q4 2026.

“Projects like this typically follow an S-curve. It's not a sudden jump. Progress starts slow, and we expect the real upward momentum to show after 2027 or 2028,” he explained.

The Mutiara Line broke ground on January 10, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, marking a major push to modernise Penang’s public transport.

Econpile (M) Sdn Bhd has also secured a RM42.82 million contract from Irama Duta Sdn Bhd for bored piling and related works.
The 29.5km line will feature 21 stations, linking Penang Silicon Island to Komtar and Penang Sentral, aiming to reduce congestion and boost connectivity between the island and the mainland.