GEORGE TOWN: MRail Sdn Bhd, the company which has submitted a proposal to the state government to build a monorail test track in Batu Kawan on mainland Penang, has requested for a 30 to 40 acre site for a factory to assemble the monorail cabs.

Public works, utilities and transport committee chairman Lim Hock Seng (Bagan Jermal-DAP) — who was winding up on the Supply Bill 2010 — said according to a discussion held on Nov 24 between MRail and the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), which owns land in Batu Kawan, MRail plans to manufacturer the cabs in China which would later be assembled at the site on the mainland.

"At the site requested, a test track will be built to test the assembled cabs. When there are interested parties for the monorail system from abroad, they would be taken to the test track where the monorail system will be shown to them," Lim said in his reply to queries raised by Sim Tze Tzin (Pantai Jerejak-PKR).

"MRail has said that the project is not for the Penang monorail system, but will be a monorail cab assembly and test track for buyers. The system will be a made-in-Malaysia brand."

He said according to PDC, the project was solely for assembly of the monorail cabs and test track, and not for passenger ridership.

"Land sale will not be made on a tender basis, but based on the application received," he added.

However, Lim said the application was still in the inquiry stage, and PDC had yet to make any decisions on the project.

"The company has not filled up the applications for a factory site nor is there any information available at this time on the costs, phases, electrical needs or other infrastructure which will be required for the project," he added.

To a supplementary question on the viability of the project, Lim said the monorail project was not on the cards at the moment, especially in George Town, which is a World Heritage site, with heritage buildings.

"We are not planning a monorail system in George Town, but it may be considered for the outskirts of the city, especially in Bayan Lepas or other suburban areas, but nothing is planned for the moment," Lim said.