Penang LRT systems package moves to reverse e-bidding

Penang LRT Mutiara Line procurement has entered a new phase. The systems package has moved to an e-bidding exercise as competition among major contractors intensifies. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Penang LRT Mutiara Line procurement and tender changes

The Penang Light Rail Transit systems package covers signalling, rolling stock and track works. It is being procured under a design-and-build arrangement. It is also being re-tendered after several rounds of clarifications and revisions. Tenders were first invited in December 2024.

MRT Corp’s latest move follows a series of tender adjustments over the past year. Those changes included revisions to local content requirements for rolling stock. In addition, they included a proposal for a local train assembly facility. In August 2025, the train configuration was changed from four-car sets to three-car train sets. That change came ahead of the final tender submission.

The re-tendered package has been through months of revisions. It is now moving into the pricing stage of the procurement process.

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Reverse e-bidding and the bidder field

The report said seven consortia originally submitted bids for the package. They will now be invited to take part in the reverse e-bidding process. The mechanism is intended to secure more competitive pricing. Still, the contract will not automatically go to the lowest bidder.

The bidders include Gamuda Berhad, MMC Corporation Berhad, YTL Group and MRCB. The field also includes a joint venture between WCT Holdings and Lion Pacific Sdn Bhd. It also includes a consortium involving Dhaya Maju Infrastructure Asia and Berjaya Rail.

Most bidders are reported to have partnered with Chinese firms. Separately, MMC is the exception. South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem is linked to the rolling stock portion. Japan’s Hitachi is involved in signalling systems.

Pricing pressure, delays and future contracts

The report also said the WCT-Lion Pacific joint venture had earlier submitted the lowest offer. That bid was around RM2.7 billion. Other bids were understood to have been revised to below RM3 billion as competition intensified.

Industry observers said experienced players such as Gamuda and MRCB remain strong contenders. Their records include the Klang Valley MRT and LRT3 developments.

The procurement process has also been delayed more than once. Meanwhile, in March 2026, MRT Corp extended the validity of tender bonds until the end of June 2026. That pointed to continued negotiations and ongoing lobbying among bidders.

Analysts said the reverse e-bidding outcome is expected to become a benchmark for future rail infrastructure contracts in Malaysia. At the same time, the government continues to emphasise cost efficiency. It also continues to emphasise local industry participation in major transport projects.

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