KUALA LUMPUR: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has expressed regret over a Langkawi ferry operator's decision to increase Langkawi ferry fares starting next year.
Loke said his ministry had just secured approval from the Finance Ministry last Friday to provide diesel subsidies for ferry operators nationwide, including Langkawi, starting Jan 1, 2025.
Hence, he urged Konsortium Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd to retract the announcement immediately and hold discussions with the ministry in the near future.
"I am deeply disappointed by the Langkawi ferry operator's sudden decision to increase fares today.
"I warn all ferry operators that they will not qualify for diesel subsidies if they increase their fares, particularly those affecting local residents and domestic tourists," he said in a Facebook post today.
Earlier, Ferry Line operations manager Norhafiz Abdul Wahid announced that fares for routes connecting Langkawi, Kuala Perlis, and Kuala Kedah would increase starting next year.
He said that while adjustments were initially proposed for August 2022, the hike then was reduced by half to support post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery efforts.