PENANG will not give up its ferry service but will seek to restore it, says former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
This, he said, would happen if Pakatan Harapan recaptures Putrajaya.
Lim, who was accompanied by several members of Parliament and assemblymen and many supporters, took a ferry ride from Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda in George Town to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth this morning and back.
“We’re here to say our final goodbye to the Penang ferries. No words can describe the sense of loss, not only for our cultural heritage but also a piece of Penang history.
“The ferry has been a symbol of Penang and it is as though a part of our soul has been taken away.
“And we will never forgive nor forget those who are responsible for the end of the iconic ferry,” Lim, who is also the Bagan MP and Air Putih assemblyman, told reporters.
A day earlier, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had reiterated the state’s firm stand that the iconic ferry service should be maintained and suggested that the Federal Government replace the current fleet of ferries with new ones while maintaining its iconic and heritage look.
Chow and his team took a fast boat ferry ride on invitation by the Penang Port Commission from Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim and return by the existing ferry from Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim to Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda.
The Penang ferry service, which started 126 years ago, has seen a number of changes beginning with steamships. The current fleet of ferries was commissioned between 1971 and 2002.
The fast boat ferry service will be introduced for pedestrians crossing the channel from tomorrow.
Today, Lim was met by Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy and state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo at the terminal in Penang island before he and his entourage boarded the ferry.
Armed with a big banner and placards, Lim led the team to briefly make a protest against the Federal Government’s decision to discontinue ferry service for four-wheel vehicles from tomorrow (Jan 1, 2021) and other users in the not too distant future, shouting “Selamatkan Feri Pulau Pinang”.
A number of them wore orange and yellow T-shirts with the words “Selamatkan Feri Kita” and “Save Our Ferry” on the front.
Lim said had the Federal Government not been changed early this year, the Penang ferry service would not have been terminated.
He said as the then Finance Minister, he stipulated a condition in exchange for an RM30 million cash grant to the private company that has taken over the Penang ferry services that they cannot terminate the Penang ferry service.
Lim added that the stipulated condition was also confirmed by the current Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz but lamented that Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong was determined to terminate the Penang ferry service.
He also disagreed with Wee’s reason for discontinuing the use of the iconic ferries, citing high maintenance cost and lack of seaworthiness.
There are suggestions to turn the iconic ferries to floating restaurants or museums.
“I think what is important is that even though it is a sad day, we should not lose heart. We will continue to fight to restore the Penang service. What we need is a change of government in Putrajaya. With a change of government in Putrajaya, we can revive the Penang ferry service.
“There is no justification to say that it is costly and unsafe. That is without basis or factual evidence. We are not asking to use 10 ferries; just between the existing two or three ferry services. I don’t think that is so expensive.
“And it is easily covered by the RM30mil cash grant that we gave to the private company. And you can even reduce the frequency from every half an hour to every 45 minutes.
“At least keep it running. I tell you many Penangites who use this service especially those who commute between Bagan and Tanjung, especially the poor, will appreciate the convenience,” added Lim.
He also said tourists would prefer to sit on the iconic ferry than the catamaran, just as in foreign countries.
“We are not saying that you don’t run the catamaran. Go ahead but do it in parallel like in Hong Kong and Canada.
“What is so difficult? You know fairly well money cannot buy heritage. If it is not important, why are we so intent on our Unesco world heritage site in George Town and Melaka.
“So, this is also an important part of our heritage. It should be retained. We will not give up; we will continue to seek to restore the ferry services. This is not the end. This is only the beginning,” Lim said.
The Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), which will take over the running of the Penang ferry service from Prasarana tomorrow, will provide the fast boats for pedestrians to cross the channel – from Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (instead of Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda) in George Town to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth.
Pedestrians will get to travel using the fast ferry boats for free for the first two weeks, from Jan 1 to Jan 14.
PPSB also said the use of fast boats and the existing ferries was an interim measure before the introduction of the new ferries, namely “water buses” and “vehicle transporters” on July 1, 2022 or earlier.
As Lim and his entourage disembarked after the ferry docked at Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda, the strains of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ could be heard blaring from a loudspeaker that was brought into the ferry.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi