Petition calling for iconic car-carrying ferries to remain

GEORGE TOWN: Bagan Dalam state assemblyman M. Satees has started an online petition urging the federal government not to stop the iconic Penang car-carrying ferries.

Nearly 500 people have signed the petition at http://chng.it/Qx5kjVks since it was launched less than 24 hours ago.

Speaking to the New Straits Times, the state lawmaker said the federal government's decision to cease the operations of the car-carrying ferries was an act of vengence against Penang and her people.

He said replacing the iconic and heritage ferries with water buses was not feasible as thousands of Penangites depended on the ferry service as a mode of transportation between the mainland and the island.

"More importantly, the ferry service also serves as a major icon for Penang. The act of 'snatching' the icon away, without considering the appeals of the Penang government and her people, is an act of 'bullying'.

"With this petition, I want Penangites to state their opposition that we are against the move to halt the iconic car-carrying ferry service," he said.

It was earlier reported that after nearly a century of service, the iconic Penang car-carrying ferries would cease operations at the end of this month.

Beginning Jan 1, 2021, PPSB would operate only fast ferries while one of the existing ferries would be used to transport bicycles and motorcycles.

This is a temporary measure before PPSB introduces the use of passenger-only water buses and vehicle transporters by July 2022.

Elaborating, Satees said many of his constituents and a majority of the Seberang Prai people crossed the Penang Straits daily.

"If the car-carrying ferries service is halted, this will cause more traffic congestion in Butterworth and Prai. I have spoken about it in the state legislative assembly.

"As such, our stand is clear, in that the car-carrying ferries service should not be halted, even though the catamarans and water buses are introduced in future," he added.

Satees also said that Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz's statement in Dewan Rakyat yesterday, that the federal government would ensure that the iconic Penang ferry remained in service, did not give a clear picture.

Zafrul had said that this was a condition set by the government to Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), which would take over the ferry services in the state.

He also said that the RM30 million approved by the previous Pakatan Harapan government to PPSB would be channelled in two instalments beginning next year, with a total of RM15 million for 2021 included in the allocation that was approved under the Supply Bill 2021.

"The Transport Ministry and PPSB are insisting on retiring the old ferries. They want to 'keep the ferries' but will it be in service, especially car-carrying ferries? That is the question," he said.

According to Malarvili Gopal, she is signing the petition to retain Penang's old charm.

"It is one of Penang's heritage and attractions. If we are to stop the ferry, the future generation will not know what is the ferry and the experience. Please don't stop the ferry service," she said.

Abraham E. P. Lourdes said: "I love the ferries, for the sake of all of Penangites, leave the ferries alone".

As for Selina Low, the ferry service is not only an icon of Penang.

"It serves many people still until this day and many of us grow up with fond memories of ferry rides. Please keep the ferry service," she added.

Rajan Muthusamy said the Penang ferry was a heritage that needed to be sustained.

"It has been our landmark for so long. Removing this is like removing our own Penang identity," he noted.

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