MRT Corp has extended the deadline for deciding the systems package of the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, with tender bonds now required to remain valid until the end of June. The contract is estimated to be worth about RM3 billion.
Sources said the delay follows intense lobbying from competing groups, pushing back the decision multiple times. Tenderers were initially told a decision could be expected in January, but none has been announced. MRT Corp’s board had reportedly submitted its recommendations to the Ministry of Finance earlier this year, though the final approval is still pending.
The Penang LRT, stretching nearly 30km from Silicon Island to Penang Sentral, is the largest infrastructure project under the current administration, with total costs estimated between RM13 billion and RM16 billion. Gamuda-led SRS Consortium has already secured the RM7.9 billion civil works package, leaving the systems package and a cross-sea link still to be awarded.
Seven companies initially bid for the systems contract, with four understood to remain in contention: Gamuda, MMC Group, YTL Group, and a Lion Pacific–WCT Holdings joint venture, which reportedly submitted the lowest bid. The package includes rolling stock, signalling systems, and track works.
The final decision is expected once approvals are obtained, though industry sources say lobbying efforts could continue to influence the outcome.
