GEORGE TOWN, July 1 -- The Penang state government is still awaiting the official notice to proceed from the Transport Ministry and MRT Corporation (MRTC) before physical work can begin on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line project.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state hopes to receive the notice this month.

"Last month, I mentioned one or two months, so this month would be the second. We really hope it can be issued this month," he said after officiating Penang Transportation Day at Komtar today.

He said the notice is crucial to enable SRS Consortium to commence full-scale construction works according to the planned timeline.

However, he noted that some preliminary work has already begun on-site, including soil investig...