Juru-Sungai Dua elevated highway project to be implemented via PPP, says Penang CM

BUTTERWORTH: The Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway project, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the tabling of Budget 2025 on Friday (Oct 18), is expected to be implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP), says Chow Kon Yeow.

The Penang Chief Minister said that PLUS Malaysia Berhad, the Public-Private Partnership Unit (UKAS), and several relevant agencies are currently examining the project’s implementation.

"Details about the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway project are still under discussion, and it is the state government’s desire to see it materialise.

"Before the budget was tabled, during the NCIA (Northern Corridor Implementation Authority) meeting, we were informed that the estimated cost for the project has now reached RM2bil, up from the previously mentioned RM1.8bil,” Chow said.

He made these remarks to reporters after officiating the convocation ceremony for the Empower Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Certification Programme at the PICCA Convention Centre, Butterworth Arena, Saturday (Oct 19).

During the announcement of Budget 2025, Anwar highlighted several key initiatives for Penang, including the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway project, the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT), the expansion of Penang International Airport (LTAPP), and the Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3 project.

Chow had earlier requested that the Federal Government implement the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway project due to the urgent traffic conditions, a concern he raised during the briefing on Penang development in April.

Meanwhile, in his speech at the event, Chow emphasised that various initiatives by NCIA, including the Empower NCER programme, have benefited the people, particularly the low-income group (B40), by creating more job opportunities and raising household incomes, especially on Penang Island.

He noted that 14 technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes were offered to empower NCER participants, classified according to their business capacity and income. - Bernama