Penang now plans to float RFP for LRT project: Zairil

GEORGE TOWN – Penang plans to open a request for proposal (RFP) for any suitable company in the private sector keen to develop a light rail transit (LRT) system that connects the international airport in Bayan Lepas to Komtar in town.

State Infrastructure and Transportation committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, who confirmed this, said that the state plans to come up with the RFP next year. He said it is part of the state’s commitment to alleviate traffic congestion here.

He said that the state plans to call for the RFP to see if there is any interest in undertaking the project out there.

“Right now, there is some interest among the private players, but nothing is official. We will decide on the matter when it becomes official,” he said when asked about the status of the proposed LRT project.

Zairil informed the state assembly sitting recently that Penang may call for bids to build the LRT line on its own instead of relying on the Penang South Islands (PSI) reclamation project.

An approval by relevant authorities to carry out the PSI project was rescinded by environmental regulators after fishermen filed for an appeal in September.

The initial 19km LRT project with 30 connecting stations was expected to cost RM8.5 billion when it was first mooted by the state.

Among the financial arrangements is either to award the project to a consortium or a local company with strong technical and monetary backing to undertake the project.

“The study on this matter is being conducted and a decision on the matter will be made after the outcome of the study,” Zairil said.

“The state is committed to the PSI project, the Pan Island Link 1 Highway and the Penang Transport Master Plan,” he added. 

Earlier, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government is still committed to implementing the PSI project for the benefit of the people in the future and to secure Penang’s economic growth.

Chow said the state government is currently in the process of applying for a judicial review of the decision by the Environment Department (DoE) appeal board to revoke the previous EIA approval.

“At the same time, the state government and the SRS Consortium project implementing partners are also updating the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report to be resubmitted to the DoE for re-approval,” he said. – The Vibes, December 13, 2021.