GEORGE TOWN – Stop bickering about the double-decker ferries and focus on providing basic amenities for the disabled and senior citizens to safely board the replacement catamarans.
Gerakan vice-president Datuk Baljit Singh said he read in horror that there are no proper aid facilities, such as ramps and trolleys, to accommodate the disabled and elderly for the cross-channel transport.
“I cannot help but wonder why such basic amenities have been neglected. The ferry service is not new, having been in operation for the last 126 years.
“In addition, the service has received publicity due to the retirement of the old fleet, with new vessels that only ferry pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles.”
The recent attention on the issue given by DAP and MCA is enough to raise eyebrows, Baljit said, but have they solved the woes of the people through these attacks?
“DAP, which runs the Penang government, has made the ferry service issue seem so important, claiming that it can protect the service only if Pakatan Harapan returns to power. MCA as usual, remains mum over much of the issue, speaking up only to rebut DAP’s attacks over the matter,” he said in a statement.
Baljit said it is quite disappointing to see both parties trying to assign blame to the other, while neglecting the needs of the disabled and senior citizens, who are unable to use the new service conveniently.
He said if DAP or MCA truly wishes to help, they should stop bickering and work together to ensure that Penang has a ferry service that is accessible to all its citizens, both able-bodied and disabled.
“Only then can we be assured that politicians from both sides truly place the people’s interests ahead of their own agendas.”
Penang Port Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Sasedharan Vasudevan said the service provider will soon engage with disabled and senior citizen communities to find a solution.
He apologised, saying that the company just took over operations and needs time to fine tune the service to ensure that it meets the expectations of the people. – The Vibes, January 5, 2021
