Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the government is confident of greenlighting a Light Rail Transit (LRT) project that would connect Penang Island with the mainland at Seberang Perai.

Speaking at the launch of the Penang BN-Harapan election machinery last night, he said Putrajaya has given prior approval for an LRT project on the island connecting Bayan Lepas to George Town.

“But Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told me that the LRT cannot just be on the island, it must connect to Seberang Perai.

“With the approval of the prime minister, who is also the finance minister, we are confident we can implement an LRT project that connects the island to Seberang Perai.

“This will certainly make it easier for the people of Penang to cross over to Seberang Perai and it would certainly help the economy,” he said during the event held at the Seberang Jaya expo site.

In January, the Penang government’s Buletin Mutiara reported caretaker chief minister Chow Kon Yeow as saying that the state government was awaiting discussions between Anwar and Loke regarding the proposed Butterworth-George Town LRT link.

Chow mentioned the project would serve as an extension of the island’s LRT project and connect the KTMB railway line from Butterworth to Bayan Lepas.

In May, Loke mentioned that the LRT project may commence earlier than expected, considering that the construction period could take five years.

Penang seeks clarity on SRS Consortium's role in LRT project

Penang seeks clarity on SRS Consortium's role in LRT project

Penang south reclamation works to begin July 1

Penang south reclamation works to begin July 1

Penang LRT construction expected to start earlier - Loke

Penang LRT construction expected to start earlier - Loke

Penang LRT: Relevant ministries, agencies to discuss funding models - minister

Penang LRT: Relevant ministries, agencies to discuss funding models - minister