Langkawi LRT ‘Unrealistic’, Focus Stays on Penang LRT and ECRL - Loke

Transport Minister Anthony Loke has defended the government’s big-ticket rail projects, stressing they are designed with long-term benefits in mind, not just cost alone. 

He was responding to questions in Parliament on the Penang LRT and East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) while wrapping up the 13th Malaysia Plan debate in the Dewan Rakyat today.

On the Penang LRT, Loke said the approved Mutiara Line will stretch 29.5km, linking Silicon Island to KOMTAR, with an additional connection from Macallum to Penang Sentral in Butterworth. 

By covering both the island and the mainland, the project is expected to serve more than 1.8 million residents while also benefiting the 3.5 million annual visitors.

“This isn’t just about easing traffic on the island. It’s about unlocking the economic potential of the Northern Corridor and giving KTM commuters from Perlis, Kedah and northern Perak easier access to Penang,” he said.
Switching focus to the ECRL, Loke confirmed that the 665km line, with 20 stations across Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor, remains on track for completion in 2027. 

The project, according to the minister, is set to carry an estimated 24.6 million tonnes of cargo a year, equivalent to one million lorry trips, while also cutting travel time for passengers.

As for Kelantan, he acknowledged requests for additional stations, including possible extensions to Tumpat or Rantau Panjang. 
“At this stage, Rantau Panjang is being actively studied due to its potential cross-border link to Thailand. But future studies will also consider Tumpat,” Loke explained.

Finally, responding to suggestions for an LRT to Langkawi, Loke noted that such a plan is unrealistic given the 30–50km stretch of open sea that would require expensive overwater tracks. 

Instead, the government is upgrading ferry terminals in Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis, with a RMK-13 project already underway. The Kuala Kedah terminal upgrade, now 22% complete, is scheduled for 2027.
“These projects show that we are committed to improving connectivity in all regions, not just the urban centres,” Loke added.