GEORGE TOWN: Penang has welcomed the federal government’s decision to ensure the state’s iconic ferries would remain in service.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the decision was in line with the stand of the state government and the people of Penang who wanted the 126-year old transport service to continue operating.
“I found out about this today morning and welcome it (the decision). This ferry service will continue to be enjoyed not only by Penangites but also by fellow Malaysians and tourists alike,” he told reporters here.
Chow said he understood the risk of continuing the existing service if ferry safety standards failed to be complied with and the cost of repairs was three times more expensive.
He said the matter could be resolved if the Putrajaya provided adequate allocation to the Penang Port Commission (PPC) and Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) to maintain the ferry service.
Before this, PPC had announced that the Penang ferry service, which connects the mainland in Seberang Perai to the island state, will be replaced by speedboats starting Jan 1.
But this morning, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz told the Dewan Rakyat that the PPSB would be required to continue the Penang ferry service, which has become an icon and was of heritage value in the state for now.