While wrapping up the debate on his ministry’s 2025 budget, Loke said he was disappointed with Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas), who questioned whether the Penang LRT project could become a “white elephant” if it fails to meet its projected ridership figures.

The LRT line, which will connect Bayan Lepas to Komtar, is projected to serve between five million and 42 million passengers annually.

“I am somewhat disappointed with the view expressed by Pasir Mas, who seems to suggest that anything related to Penang is questionable,” Loke told the Dewan Rakyat.

“He raised concerns about passenger projections, and I want to explain that public transport projects are inherently difficult to justify in terms of immediate returns.

“Most of these public transport projects may run at a loss, but we view them from a socioeconomic development perspective,” he said.

“Take the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) to Kelantan, for example. It is difficult to justify passenger projections, but does that mean the government should abandon the project? No!”

Loke stressed that he had never opposed the ECRL development and had even been working to persuade the Cabinet to extend the rail link to Rantau Panjang, intending to connect it to Thailand.

He also said that he wanted development and prosperity for all states, including Penang, Kelantan, Sabah, and Sarawak.

“We must not play politics when it comes to infrastructure. Infrastructure is crucial for the nation, for every region, and for every state,” he said.

“When we build infrastructure, it benefits the people. It drives economic growth and national development.”