GEORGE TOWN – Senator Lim Hui Ying has slammed Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong after he “co-opted” her into supporting his move to terminate the iconic double-decker Penang ferries.
In a strongly-worded statement, Lim refuted Wee’s Facebook post, saying that her speech made in the Dewan Negara was clear – she was in support of retaining the ferries.
“Yesterday, on his Facebook account, Wee tried to ‘co-opt’ me into supporting his callous plan to terminate the Penang ferries by saying that I supported the introduction of catamarans.
“No one is saying that we object to the (speedboat) catamarans. However, I made it very clear in my speech; the federal government should continue the ferries even at a slightly lower frequency to complement the new catamaran service.”
With two of the iconic ferries currently in use, Lim called on the federal government to retain them so that the historic means of transport can continue, even with the use of the catamarans.
“This is not the first time that MCA tries to divide DAP leaders with lies,” she said.
Meanwhile, Penang Public Transport Users Association in a statement welcomed the upgrading of the ferry services by introducing water buses and transporters.
“The vessels have passed their healthy service life,” the civil society group said.
“However, we are concerned about Penang Port Sdn Bhd’s plan to permanently dock the last two ferries at the Tg City Marina, and repurpose them as a floating restaurant and museum.
“We discourage the said plan as it is not the best way of preserving the vessels. The preservation of vessels should always consider options that are closest to their original use, which, in this case, is carrying pedestrians and cars across the straits.
“It should stay the same, with the exception of it being recreational rather than mass transport.
“While we understand the nostalgia and historical value of the existing ferries, we must emphasise that the existing vessels are no longer suitable to continue operating as they are.
“Their engines are required to stay running throughout their operation hours, which may span more than 12 hours a day.
“They go through a lot of stress and require a flawless maintenance regime to keep running, even for a brand-new vessel, let alone ones that have been running for the last four decades.” – The Vibes, December 28, 2020
