BUTTERWORTH – Penangites are up in arms after an iconic ferry, which was abandoned and left to rot, sank in Sg Prai here.
Pictures of the car-carrying ship’s sinking went viral, causing a social media frenzy, with netizens berating Penang port authorities and the maintenance crew for the abandonment.
Joining the chorus of criticism are Bukit Tengah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao Leung and Pengkalan Kota rep Daniel Gooi, who urged Penang port authorities to get their act together.
The manner in which the ferry – considered a national heritage – was abandoned also left a bitter taste in the mouths of Penangites, who can still recall the heydays of the mode of transport, which was used to cross the channel.
It was also learnt that intruders had entered the sinking ferry and looted its parts.
It has been reported that the maintenance dockyard for the iconic ferries was temporarily closed as the vehicles were left in lieu of new transporters.
The port authorities could not be reached for comment. – The Vibes, June 5, 2021
