Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), the project owner and implementing agency, has announced that the tender process for the second segment of the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line—from Macallum on Penang Island to Penang Sentral on the mainland—is currently under evaluation.

The first segment of the 29.5-km LRT Mutiara Line — connecting Silicon Island to Komtar and Macallum — has already been awarded to SRS Consortium through direct negotiation under existing agreements with the Penang state government. The LRT Mutiara Line is set to become Penang’s first integrated urban rail system, designed to reduce traffic congestion, enhance last-mile connectivity, and promote sustainable public transportation across the state. Spanning 29.5 km and built as a fully elevated line, the project is owned and implemented by MRT Corp and funded by the Federal Government of Malaysia. Scheduled to begin operations by 2031, the route will connect Penang South Reclamation Island A (Silicon Island) to Komtar, Macallum, and Penang Sentral, creating a vital transit link across key urban and economic zones.

The LRT Mutiara Line will feature two main branches — the first running 23.7 km from PSR-A (Penang South Reclamation Island A) to Komtar, and the second extending 28.4 km from PSR-A to Penang Sentral, which includes a 3.06-km sea viaduct. In total, the system will comprise 21 stations, including interchange and terminus points. Key connectivity hubs along the route will include the Penang International Airport, Penang Sentral in Butterworth—which integrates bus, ferry, and KTM train services—as well as Komtar in George Town, the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, and the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal, ensuring seamless connections across Penang’s major transport and economic centers.

The first work package, covering the stretch from Komtar to Island A, was awarded to SRS Consortium in January 2025. Construction has already begun, with initial works such as piling, pier construction, and utility relocation underway. For the second segment, spanning Macallum to Penang Sentral, MRT Corp is currently evaluating tenders. This section covers 5.78 km of track, including a 3.06-km sea viaduct. Meanwhile, authorities have initiated land acquisition and traffic management planning, placing particular emphasis on reducing disruptions along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Bayan Lepas. Once operational in 2031, the system will become the first metro network in northern Peninsular Malaysia, setting a benchmark for modern, efficient public transportation and serving as a reference model for future transit developments across the ASEAN region.