Penang denies RM24 billion price tag for Bayan Lepas LRT

State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow says the cost is estimated to be RM8.4 billion, not RM24 billion as alleged by PKR rep Norlela Ariffin.

PETALING JAYA: The Penang government today defended the cost of the Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, which a PKR rep had claimed was more expensive than the Sungai Buloh–Kajang Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line.

State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow said the cost of the Bayan Lepas LRT, from Komtar to Penang South Reclamation’s Island B, was estimated to be RM8.4 billion.

This was stated in the request for proposal (RFP) document submitted by SRS Consortium to the Penang government, he added.

He was responding to PKR’s Penanti assemblywoman Norlela Ariffin who said yesterday the construction cost for the 30km LRT was RM24 billion while the cost for the 51km MRT was RM21 billion.

In a Facebook post, Norlela said she would ask the Penang Public Transportation Council and the LRT contractor at a meeting on July 20 why they were not opting for the MRT, which would be more economical.

However, Chow said this was not true.

“The Penang state government would like to clarify that the cost of the Bayan Lepas LRT is not RM24 billion, as alleged by YB Norlela Ariffin,” he said in a statement today.

He said according to the clarification on the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) costs, which he had given on June 19, the actual cost for the projects would only be finalised after detailed engineering design and open tenders are completed.

“These will only be carried out after the required approvals are obtained from the federal government.”

The PTMP includes roads, light-rail transit and other modes of transport crisscrossing the state.

It will be carried out by SRS Consortium, a project delivery partner which will reclaim three islands south of Penang island to finance the PTMP. -FMT