GEORGE TOWN: With about 300,000 vehicles congesting Penang’s roads during peak hours each day, the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT), which features a cross-sea connection to the mainland, has the potential to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance productivity.
Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia’s (Samenta) northern region chairman, Calvin Kwan, said about 130,000 vehicles travel on the island and another 170,000 on the mainland during rush hour.
Since the LRT line would run through key industrial hubs in Bayan Lepas, he said this would strengthen island–mainland connectivity.
“SMEs form the backbone of the supply chain, supporting multinational corporations across industries. In Malaysia, SMEs contribute nearly 45% of GDP.
“Improving connectivity and efficiency for SME workers is crucial to sustaining broader economic growth.
“The island and mainland are economically co-dependent ... the LRT will strengthen this relationship,” he said yesterday.
According to the Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC), the revised Mutiara Line LRT project is up for a three-month public inspection exercise running from tomorrow to May 24.
The revised scheme introduces a 6km alignment from Macallum to Penang Sentral, establishing the first direct rail link between Penang island and the mainland.
The public inspection will be held at Komtar, Penang Sentral, KTM Butterworth Station and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) office in Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur, allowing stakeholders to review the proposed changes before MRTC submits feedback to APAD for approval.
Penang Sentral, on the mainland, will serve as a key interchange for integrating KTM rail, bus and ferry services, with about 1,000 additional parking bays planned.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the amendments were necessary after MRT Corp assumed ownership and expanded the project’s scope.
He said the project was originally approved for the alignment from Komtar to Silicon Island when the state government was the project owner and implementing agency.
“Following the appointment of MRTC as project owner, the alignment will link Macallum to Penang Sentral on the mainland.
“This is a legal requirement, and we welcome feedback from the public and stakeholders during the inspection period.”
The Mutiara Line, which began construction in 2025, is expected to be operational by December 2031. It will span 29.67km with 20 stations and two provisional stations.
