Members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and political parties today protested against passenger ferry operators for withdrawing special priced ticket prices for Langkawi residents.

Representative Nor Saidi Nayan, who is also Langkawi Umno Youth chief, said the ferry companies had withdrawn the special priced tickets by raising the price since Friday.

"Over the last four years,  Langkawi residents and those holding Langkawi addresses are given special priced tickets with deduction of RM3 per trip," he told a press conference after joining over 100 people including members of Umno, PKR, PAS and NGOs at a peaceful rally at Kuah jetty today.

The withdrawal of special priced tickets by ferry operators means that Langkawi residents will have to pay regular price for tickets on weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), school holidays and public holidays.

One way ticket from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi was priced at RM23 but Langkawi residents only paid RM20 while ticket for Kuala Perlis to Langkawi was priced at RM18 while Langkawi residents paid only RM15.

Representatives of the three political parties also submitted a memorandum on behalf of residents and appealed to the ferry operators to consider reinstating the special priced tickets.

Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia deputy chairman Mahdzir Khalid said the Marine Department, district office, state government, ferry operators and people's representatives should discuss to resolve the problem.

"Talks will result in feedback from both parties. The state government should pay attention to this problem," he added.

Meanwhile, ferry company representative Ng Ean Soon said the rise in ticket price was because they did not enjoy diesel subsidy from the government.

He urged the government to consider giving subsidy to ferry operators to enable them to offer special priced tickets to Langkawi residents.

- Bernama