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GEORGE TOWN: Scrapping Penang’s last two ferries to make way for a new fleet in two years is a “cold and insensitive” approach by the federal government ignoring the sentiments of locals, DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng claim (es.
He said such a move ignores Penang’s heritage and history, including its role in generating the economy and tourism, and eliminated the “romance” of cross-channel travel.
In a statement, the former Penang chief minister said his administration had offered to take over the ferry services in 2015, but the Ministry of Transport flatly rejected it.
Lim said the recent news of the scrapping of the old ferries was a form of betrayal by Perikatan Nasional and MCA President Wee Ka Siong, the Transport Minister.
He said this was not the first time that Penangites were being marginalized, and said the current government stopped an allocation of RM100 million for the Penang Hill cable car project. Lim said even a federally backed guarantee for a light rail transit project was stopped.
“DAP urges the Ministry of Transport to have heart and not to abandon Penang and its iconic ferry service. Many countries still retain their original ferry services, although it may not be economical due to its intrinsic value and intangible value for heritage and history. “
Yesterday, the port operators said they would spend RM64 million to buy five new vessels, two of which will carry motorcycles and bicycles.
According to the Penang Port Commission, the amount would cover the cost of modernizing the terminals on the island and the mainland.
One of the two ferries will remain to carry only motorcycles for the time being until the new ships enter service in July 2022. The other ship will be permanently retired.
