GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government today said a proposed light rail transit (LRT) line would skip a mosque and an adjacent cemetery in Bayan Lepas completely.
This follows earlier protests that the LRT would take up a portion of the cemetery.
Deputy Chief Minister I Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said the elevated LRT track would now run parallel along the Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah flyover.
Earlier plans indicated that the LRT would cross in front of the mosque and cemetery, or alternatively behind the mosque.
Protesters had taken to Komtar last Friday and this afternoon over the issue, which involves the Sungai Nibong Besar Mosque and an adjacent cemetery near the Tapak Pesta in Bayan Lepas.
The mosque was demolished last month to make way for a newer one.
Zakiyuddin said the Penang Islamic Affairs Religious Council (MAINPP) had been informed that the elevated LRT track won’t cross the mosque or the cemetery even a little, nor its airspace.
He said the consultants had however stated that the fence of the cemetery had gone beyond the boundaries of the cemetery by 2.5m, taking up part of the road reserve.
“MAINPP will take appropriate action on this matter.
“Nevertheless, the Penang government respects the sensitivities of Muslims and its fatwas,” Zakiyuddin said at a press conference in Komtar today.
On the reconstruction of the mosque, he said it would be rebuilt by the Public Works Department, with piling works expected to begin in August and delivered as planned.
The proposed 30km Bayan Lepas LRT line will have 27 stations, running from Komtar, which is the state government’s seat, to the three reclaimed islands planned in the south.
The line is expected to serve the industrial area in Bayan Lepas as well as passengers from the Penang International Airport.
It will cross residential townships and employment hubs in Jelutong, Gelugor, Batu Uban, Bayan Baru, Sg Tiram and Batu Maung.
The project has yet to kick off as it relies on a financing model involving the sale of land from the three islands. The reclamation project itself is awaiting approval from environmental regulators. - FMT
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