Anwar noted that although the project has a four-year completion timeline and is scheduled to be finished by mid-2030, he wants the work to be fast-tracked.

“We must take immediate steps to expedite the process so that the project’s implementation can benefit the people. This requires close monitoring,” he said at the project’s groundbreaking ceremony at Tapak Ekspo Seberang Jaya.

“The chief minister has assured me that the state government and local council will help fast-track the technical processes.

“Expediting this project means saving costs and ensuring greater convenience for the public.”

Earlier, works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said that project, which costs RM3 billion, would help shorten travelling time during peak hours from one hour to 20 minutes.

The project is financed through a public-private partnership model, where the government covers 60% of the cost, while the private sector covers the rest.

A detailed traffic management plan will be implemented along the Juru-Sungai Dua route to ease congestion while the construction work is carried out.

The project is among the key initiatives for Penang and the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia announced by Anwar in the 2025 budget on Oct 18 last year, alongside the Penang Light Rail Transit, the expansion of Penang International Airport and Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3.

‘Turun Anwar 2.0? Bring it on’

Anwar said he had no objection to the “Turun Anwar 2.0” rally proposed by PAS to voice out its opposition to the Reciprocal Trade Agreement between Malaysia and the US.

“They want to oppose the US trade agreement with Round 2 of Turun Anwar. I have no problem with that.

“They are too preoccupied with ‘turun Anwar, turun Anwar’, yet they are asking others to ‘turun’ for them,” he quipped.

On Thursday, PAS information chief Ahmad Fahdli Shaari said the party is considering hosting a mass rally and filing a judicial review to oppose the trade deal.