KEDAH should focus on meeting basic infrastructure needs, such as providing quality water supply, instead of planning a light rail transit (LRT) system for Langkawi, state Amanah chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar said.
Mahfuz said the state should not proceed with a LRT project when what the island resort needs better connectivity for visitors, better social amenities, and more tourist attractions.
Eco-tourism is one way to lure tourists, said Mahfuz, who was responding to reports that the Kedah plans to build an LRT system on Langkawi.
He said traffic conditions on Langkawi were bearable compared to other growth centres such as Alor Setar, Sungai Petani and the Thai border crossing at Bukit Kayu Hitam.
There is also the question of adequate ridership for the LRT as the population of Langkawi is smaller than that of other parts of Kedah, he said.
"If we desperately want the LRT, we should consider constructing it on the mainland, not on an island resort," said Mahfuz.
Otherwise, the project is simply to enrich some people at the expense of others, he said.
South Korean company Royal Eco Train Development has been selected to study the viability of the project.
The proposed route is from the Kuah ferry terminal in Kuah to the Pantai Cenang tourism belt.
“The funds can be used for something better, such as improving water supply, addressing climate change – Kedah is among the states with the highest humidity levels – and creating more quality jobs."
Mahfuz said Kedah needs to work harder to lure foreign direct investors who not only offer jobs but facilitate the transfer of technology.
Two senior travel trade members in Langkawi urged the state to rethink the proposal, saying the focus should be to first attract the tourists.
"We need to focus on better ferry connectivity and cheaper air fares into the island resort besides curbing the rising operational costs," one said.
The said an LRT line from the coastal seafronts of Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis could be a better alternative.
There is also a need to multiply the range of attractions on the island because the impression is that Langkawi is boring, he added. – May 2, 2024.
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