The under-construction, 29.5km LRT Mutiara line will connect key areas from the island to the mainland. — Photos: ZAFARAN NASIB/The Star
SEVERAL shop tenants near the Snake Temple along Jalan Tokong Ular in Bayan Lepas are facing uncertainty after being told to vacate by month’s end to make way for a Mutiara Light Rail Transit (LRT) station.
They said they were caught off guard when their landlord, the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda), told them this during a briefing on Dec 1.
Tackle shop owner, Adam Muqriz Toh Abdullah, 47, said tenants were first alerted about a briefing on Nov 28 via a message from a Perda officer.
“During the briefing, we were given notice to vacate,” he said when met at his shop.
Adam, who has been in business for 15 years, said most of them do not know where to go on such short notice.
“This shop is my sole source of income and I am the family breadwinner.
“We are asking for clearer communication, transitional support or compensation from the landlord.”
Other tenants voiced similar anxieties, saying they are unsure about the project’s timeline, relocation options or whether any assistance will be offered.
Adam and his wife Sabarina Ahmad Zainol, 50, packing up shop due to a notice to vacate.
Char kuey teow seller, Azman Che Endut, 50, who has been operating since 1994, said he is still in the dark about Perda’s compensation.
“We were only told to move out by the end of the month.
“And till today, no one has come forward to explain what kind of assistance we will receive.”
Azman stressed that they were not opposed to development, but just want to be treated fairly.
“If I am forced to vacate without fair compensation, the impact will not be on me alone, but my six employees, too.
“Most of them have been with me for decades.
“This is their livelihood.”
It is understood that the shops were on state land.
Another trader, Khalid Saifullah Md Hussain, 47, said the shop he operates with his family is their bread and butter.
“Where are we supposed to go?
“Everything is expensive now, let alone renting a new place,” he said, adding that the sudden announcement had them worried and wondering how to support themselves.
Khalid hoped the state authorities would step in and help.
When contacted, state infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the matter would be discussed further with Perda, particularly on compensation.
The LRT line currently under construction from Silicon Island to Penang Sentral will span 29.5km and 21 stations.
It is expected to ease traffic congestion and support Penang’s long-term economic growth.
