Recently, former Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew called the Burmese generals dumb. Could the dumber ones be here? According to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis, there is an urgent need for a new jetty at Tioman Island which according to him would result in better services and prevent untoward incident.

Perhaps the minister would like to be informed that people had died from a ferry tragedy and not from a collapsed jetty. As of yesterday, the death count from the Tioman Island ferry tragedy is six and one passenger is still listed as missing.

At this stage, what is important is for the government and relevant authorities to first slap criminal charges on the ferry operator for their omissions (at the same time check on the others) and haul up all those who had shirked from their responsibility in ensuring that the ferries plying Tioman island are not only seaworthy but importantly has all the necessary licences and has complied with all relevant requirement.

What matters most and importantly now is to ensure safe and seaworthy ferries, and not the construction of a new jetty.