SUBANG: Transport Minister Anthony Loke says the ministry has not been informed about Kedah state government's proposal to build a light rail transit (LRT) system in Langkawi.
The state government must initiate the process by applying for approval from the Land Public Transport Agency, he added.
"As of now, there have been no such applications, and the recent announcement was simply a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a feasibility study," Loke said at a media briefing after launching ExecuJet MRO Service at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang here today.
On Monday, the state's exco for industry and investment, higher education and science, technology and innovation Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah disclosed that South Korea's Royal Eco Train Development (RETD) had been selected to conduct a feasibility study for the LRT project in Langkawi.
The study is expected to be completed within six months.
RETD will collaborate with Kedah Investment Fund to assess the technical, geographical and economic impact aspects of the project on the local economy.
Yesterday, Kedah Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said Langkawi is not an ideal location for developing an LRT system due to its geographical landscape and sparse population.
He said the island already boasts various transportation options alongside a robust car rental service.
Mahdzir, who is a former Kedah menteri besar, said when the proposal for the LRT system was made public by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, negative comments had been flowing in from various quarters such as professionals, technocrats and academics.
Mahdzir said given the island's location, existing population, and the presence of e-hailing and car rental services, consideration of all these factors is necessary.
