‘Zafrul must be clear on the status of iconic Penang ferries’

GEORGE TOWN – Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz must clarify on whether the iconic cross-channel ferry services would be retained or discontinued, said Penang’s Second Deputy Chief Minister Professor P Ramasamy.

Ramasamy said Zafrul needs to do so as his remarks run contrary to what was previously announced by the Penang port’s governing body – the Penang Port Commission (PPC) who had said that the ferries would be taken out of commission.

"Firstly, by retaining the ferry service with the infusion of RM30 million might delight the people of Penang but is the amount enough to retain, repair, refurbish and also purchase new ferries? 

It is obvious that the amount is too little to continue operating with the existing fleet of ferries which are badly in need of repairs, let alone buy new ones,” he said in a statement today.

Secondly, is the federal government serious about retaining the ferries based on the assurances provided by Zafrul?

“What about the earlier proposals made by the PPC and the Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB)? Is it going to be thrown out?"

PPC and PPSB which is the port operator had earlier mooted a two-phase concept to replace the aging fleet, of which for just a single double-decker ferry, it apparently takes up to RM3 million annually to service.

“The federal government must be realistic on the matter,” said Ramasamy, adding that converting the present ferries into a floating restaurant or museum does not justify the continuation of the service.

“What will be the fate of the catamarans? Are they going to be on the agenda or not?” said Ramasamy.

He added while there will be no end to the arguments and the counter arguments, he was more interested and in fact delighted by the idea of retaining the iconic ferry service. 

In a Facebook posting a few hours after Zafrul’s announcement last Thursday, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong had said that the idea of ​​doing away with the ferry service with the introduction of the catamaran service was something mooted by the former Pakatan Harapan government while it was in power.

In a separate statement, state executive councillor Zahril Khir Johari agreed with Ramasamy saying that Zafrul must be serious about retaining the ferries as it contradicted the earlier decision announced by the PPC and the PPSB. – The Vibes, December 19, 2020.

Additional reporting by Arulldas Sinnapan