THE Kedah state government is weighing the possibility of establishing its own ferry company to operate services to Langkawi, in a bid to address ongoing shortages and better serve the island’s residents.
Chairman of the State Agriculture, Plantation and Transport Committee, Dzowahir Ab Ghani, said a comprehensive study is being undertaken to assess the viability and sustainability of such a venture, which would be owned and managed by the state.
“The establishment of a state-owned ferry company requires detailed consideration in terms of operational costs, commercial competitiveness, as well as management and technical support,” he told the state assembly during the winding-up session of the motion of thanks for the royal address by the Sultan of Kedah, Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah.
“God willing, if the findings of this study are favourable, it will particularly benefit Langkawi residents who have been affected by a shortage of ferry services,” he added.
Dzowahir also noted that the state is open to exploring partnerships with private entities or other interested parties to realise the initiative, which aims to improve transport accessibility for Langkawi residents who regularly travel to the mainland for work, education, healthcare, and other daily needs.
In a related development, the state government has been in talks with the Ministry of Transport to propose relocating the Kuala Kedah Passenger Jetty Terminal further offshore. The move is intended to address operational disruptions caused by shallow water levels at the existing site. - April 23, 2025
