Thursday, 17 Dec 2020 03:36 PM MYT
BY OPALYN MOK
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow speaks to reporters during a press conference at Komtar, George Town December 17, 2020. Picture by Sayuti Zainudin
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GEORGE TOWN, Dec 17 Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has suggested that the federal government consider purchasing new ferries similar to its current fleet of iconic vessels instead of replacing them with water buses and vehicle transporters.
The Penang lawmaker said if the federal government can invest RM30 million on catamarans, it should consider buying new ferries.
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GEORGE TOWN: Penang has welcomed the government s plan to ensure the island s ferries remain in service. I hope it becomes a reality and the iconic ferry will continue to serve the people of Penang and visitors as well, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He added that the state had not been officially informed of the new development. The main issue was about allocations – Penang Port said that if the Federal Government could bear costs, the ferry would continue to operate, he told a press conference in Komtar on Thursday (Dec 17).
Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz told the Dewan Rakyat earlier Thursday that the government would ensure that Penang s iconic ferries would remain in service.
Addressing claims the ferry service is being terminated, Dr Wee said it will be upgraded and improved.
“The government and the Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) will spend RM36.5mil as a whole to buy three new water buses and two roll-on/roll-off ferries (Ro-Ro) that would also ferry two-wheeled vehicles.
“It is far safer, more comfortable and faster. This will increase the attractiveness of Penang as a tourist destination, ” he said in a Facebook statement yesterday.
The existing ferries, he said, would need to undergo maintenance once a month on average and cost some RM3.5mil each to be maintained annually.
KUALA LUMPUR: The iconic Penang ferry will continue to operate, says Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
“The government will impose a condition on Penang Port to carry on the iconic and heritage ferry service, ” he said when wrapping up replies on debates on the Temporary Measures for Government Financing (Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19)) (Amendment) Bill in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Zafrul said this condition would be imposed in relation to the RM30mil approved for Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) to take over the ferry service.
“I can confirm the allocation will be made in two payments. The first payment of RM15mil will be made in 2021 and has been included in the Supply Bill 2021, ” he said.
Water buses to replace old Penang ferries from mid-2022 freemalaysiatoday.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from freemalaysiatoday.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.