GEORGE TOWN (Aug 6): Construction of the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) has reached several major milestones, with Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) announcing the award of the RM3.028 billion System Turnkey Contract (STC) to the Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) and Theta Edge Bhd joint venture (MRCB-Theta Edge JV).

MRT Corp said the appointment would enable detailed design of the railway systems to proceed in parallel with the ongoing civil construction programme, ensuring both components remain aligned towards overall project delivery.

“The STC comprises seven major railway systems packages including electric trains and depot equipment; signalling and train control system together with automatic platform gates; trackwork, conductor rail and maintenance vehicles and power supply and distribution system.

“Also include railway SCADA system and computerised maintenance management system; telecommunications and information technology systems and automatic fare collection system,” MRT Corp said in a statement Thursday.

Meanwhile, the tender for Civil Main Contract 2 (CMC2) package encompassing the extension of the alignment from Komtar to Penang Sentral is also progressing as planned, with tender evaluations currently underway and targeting the award of the contract in November 2026.

The statement said the Civil Main Contract 1 (CMC1) contractor continues to award various subcontract packages for station construction and related works as activities expand across the project.

MRT Corp also announced that Bumiputera participation under the CMC1 package has now exceeded 20% of the total contract value, reflecting the project's continued commitment to strengthening Bumiputera participation and developing local industry capabilities throughout project delivery.

Meanwhile, MRT Corp said works under the CMC1, covering the alignment from Silicon Island to Komtar, are advancing on schedule through a parallel design-and-build approach that allows construction to proceed while detailed engineering designs are being finalised.

“As a result, works have already progressed with the construction of 45 pile caps and 32 pier columns, with construction activities now taking place across 14 of the planned 19 construction sections under the CMC1 package,” it said.

MRT Corp, as the asset owner and project manager, said land acquisition has also recorded significant progress, with 93% of the total land required for the CMC1 package now made available following close coordination between the federal government, the Penang state government and relevant agencies.

At Silicon Island, MRT Corp said soil investigation works have begun to facilitate the construction of the project's future depot.

“Following the handover of the Tapak Pesta site by the Penang state government in April 2026, MRT Corp has completed the removal of old structures and the necessary site preparation works, enabling construction activities to commence soon,” it said.

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