KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 -- MRT Corp has clarified that the Penang LRT Mutiara Line is moving forward as planned, following questions over the pace of progress.

In a statement yesterday, the agency said it obtained official clearance for advance works under Section 20A of the Town and Country Planning Act on April 15.

This follows a three-month period of activity which also saw MRT Corp securing access to 86 land plots, ahead of its expected timeline.

It said this milestone, made possible through the Land Acquisition Act, demonstrates steady advancement in the project.

"Over the past three months, MRT Corp has been actively driving the project forward," the government-linked company said.

SRS Consortium, the appointed civil contractor,...