GEORGE TOWN: A RM3.028bil system turnkey contract for the Penang Mutiara Line has been awarded by MRT Corp to the Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB)-Theta Edge Bhd joint venture, marking a major milestone in the development of the state's first metro rail system.
The contract will allow detailed design of the railway systems to proceed alongside ongoing civil works, ensuring both components remain on track for the project's overall delivery.
The system turnkey contract covers seven key railway systems, namely electric trains and depot equipment, signalling and train control systems, trackwork, power supply and distribution, railway supervisory control and data acquisition (Scada) and computerised maintenance management systems, telecommunications and information technology systems, as well as the automatic fare collection system.
In a statement on Thursday (Aug 6), Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), the asset owner and project manager, said construction of the Mutiara Line continues to make steady progress with several key delivery milestones achieved.
Civil works under Civil Main Contract 1 (CMC1), covering the stretch from Silicon Island to Komtar, are advancing through a parallel design-and-build approach, allowing construction to begin while detailed engineering designs are still being finalised.
To date, 45 pile caps and 32 pier columns have been completed, with works underway across 14 of the 19 planned construction sections under the package.
MRT Corp said 93% of the land required for the CMC1 package has been made available following close cooperation between the Federal Government, the Penang government and relevant agencies.
Another milestone has been reached at the reclaimed Silicon Island, where soil investigation works have started ahead of the construction of the rail depot.
At the former Tapak Pesta site, which was handed over by the Penang government in April, MRT Corp has completed demolition and site preparation works, paving the way for construction to begin.
Meanwhile, tender evaluation for Civil Main Contract 2 (CMC2), which covers the extension from Komtar to Penang Sentral, is underway.
MRT Corp said the contract is expected to be awarded in November this year.
The corporation added that bumiputra participation under the CMC1 package has exceeded 20% of the total contract value, reflecting efforts to strengthen local industry participation throughout the project.
