Budget 2024: Penang LRT and five previously-cancelled LRT3 stations get green light

• RM4.7 billion will be used for the construction of five previously-cancelled light rail transit (LRT)3 stations – Tropicana, Raja Muda, Temasya, Bukit Raja and Bandar Botanic.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): The anticipated Penang light rail transit (LRT) system, linking the island and the mainland, with a total of RM10 billion in cost, will be developed through a private-public partnership model.

This was among the highlights of a slew of allocations for infrastructure developments nationwide unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his Budget 2024 speech themed ‘Madani Economy: Empowering the People’ today.  

In addition, RM4.7 billion will be used for the construction of five previously-cancelled light rail transit (LRT)3 stations – Tropicana, Raja Muda, Temasya, Bukit Raja and Bandar Botanic. The decision to reinstate these stations is anticipated to enhance Klang Valley’s public transport system and potentially benefit two million users.

Other infrastructure and road works allocations highlighted during the tabling of Budget 2024 include: 

• A total of RM2.8 billion has been allocated for the maintenance of roads and bridges, including an allocation of RM300 million for contractors from G1 to G4 categories.
• An allocation of RM100 million has been set aside for the upkeep of street lights, including the transition to energy-efficient LED lights, resulting in potential electricity savings up to 60% in electricity. An additional RM50 million is also allocated for the same reason in local authority areas nationwide.
• For high-prone accident areas, RM50 million has been allocated to address the issue. This includes upgrading the existing traffic lights to smart traffic lights along federal roads, aimed at alleviating traffic congestion.
• More than 4,100 potholes on federal roads were detected and fixed this year. The government is dedicated to ensuring that actions are taken within 24 hours upon receiving reports.
• A matching grant of RM50 million is allocated to Port Klang Authority for the maintenance of Port Klang Road, ensuring it can support heavy vehicle loads.  
• An allocation of RM47 million will be used for upgrading facilities at the Tioman Island airport, including an extension of its existing runway to a length of 1,300m. 
• The Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway is expected to reach completion in 2024. Phase 2 of  the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road project, with a total cost of RM7.4 billion, is scheduled to start by the end of 2023.
• The tender process for 19 work packages under Phase 1B of the Sabah Pan Borneo project, with a total cost of RM15.7 billion, is expected to be completed by November 2023.
• RM931 million will be used for the expansion of the North South Highway (PLUS) from Sedenak to Simpang Renggam to six lanes.
• RM20 million is allocated for 150 local authorities for repairing works of damaged ditches and drains, with the objective of mitigating stagnant water and the risk of flash floods. 
• RM563 million is allocated for slope repair, monitoring, prevention, reporting initiatives and early warning systems nationwide. This covers more than 2,000 high-risk slopes with the aim to prevent similar tragedies such as the one that took place in Batang Kali, Selangor.
• The My50 monthly pass will be continued, benefiting 180,000 residents in the Klang Valley.
• An allocation of RM96 million will assist shuttle bus services with low-passenger routes in rural areas, while RM150 million is allocated for the Stage Bus Transformation program, which will extend its services to three additional areas - Kota Bharu (Kelantan), Kuantan (Pahang) and Kota Setar (Kedah). 

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