Take legal action to stop iconic ferries’ removal, Penang told

GEORGE TOWN – Consider taking legal action to stop Penang Port Sdn Bhd from discontinuing the iconic cross-channel double-decker ferries, Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer tells the state government.

Rayer said the Penang government should consider filing an injunction at the high court to temporarily halt the port operator’s plans.

He said a legal challenge is plausible, although the decision lies with the state on whether it is worthwhile to pursue the issue.

He added that the port operator and Transport Ministry have underestimated the sentimental attachment that the Penang people have with the vessels.

Although the cross-channel service is 126 years old, the present iconic ferries began plying the route only 61 years ago.

The double-decker models were purchased from Hong Kong before Malaysia acquired the skills to construct them at the Pasir Gudang industrial zone in Johor.

Rayer said from his understanding in Parliament, the issue was raised by Bagan MP and former finance minister Lim Guan Eng.

Lim had said that the previous Pakatan Harapan government had allocated RM30 million to the port operator to upgrade the ferry service on the pretext of allowing its continuation.

“Based on this, it allows the state to consider a legal challenge on behalf of the residents here,” Rayer said.

In an interview, Rayer said Penangites have a high affinity for the ferries, with more people wanting to use them since reports of them being replaced were published.

Meanwhile, Gerakan vice-president Datuk Baljit Singh said as a Penang citizen, he is appalled that the ferries will be removed.

“I think, at times, some things are worth more than money. The ferries are an icon. Something Malaysians can identify the state with. We hope that the federal government can reconsider the decision to scrap the ferries.”

Baljit said if Malaysia Airlines can be saved as a national carrier, the Penang ferries should be accorded with the same treatment.

Lawyer S. Raveentharan said Penang has the basis to challenge the issue in court because the ferries are, historically, part of the state.

He said although the port is owned by the federal entity and the port operator is now a privatised company under the Malaysian Mining Corporation, the ferries can be viewed through the lenses of justice as a “treasure” of Penang.

The ferries belong to Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, which leased the fleet to Penang Port to operate.

All of them were responding to reports that the iconic ferries will be discontinued on January 1 as per schedule.

It will be temporarily replaced by two catamaran speedboats, which will ferry foot passengers, whereas motorcyclists and cyclists will still use one of the present ferries until July 2022.

From then on, the cross-channel service will be handled by a fleet of five water buses and two transporters, which will not carry four-wheeled vehicles.

There are seven ferries left in the Prasarana fleet, of which only two are operational.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow could not be reached for comment on this development. – The Vibes, December 26, 2020