COMMENT How sincere is the federal government in handing over the Penang ferry service to Penang state government?

Or is the recent talk about transferring the ferry service a mere “fairy tale”?

Recently, Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai announced that the federal government might hand over the ferry service, currently operated by federal-run Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), to the Penang government if the state makes a detailed application.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng reciprocated by saying that the state government might be interested in taking over the ferry service provided PPSB assumes the debts and liabilities that have been incurred to date.

Beyond this, Lim also said that Penang would absorb all the workers who are currently employed, but not the top management.

On top of these requests, Lim also wants the federal government to provide 30 licences for the introduction of water taxis to ply between different points on the island and the mainland to reduce traffic congestion on the roads.

To date, the Ministry of Transport has been reticent about transferring the ferry service to Penang.

According to some reliable sources, current operator PPSB might be interested in handing over the ferry service, considering it is suffering a financial loss of RM21 million every year.

PPSB also believes that Penang, given its good track record in financial management, might be able to turn around the ferry service from one making financial loss to one that is profitable.

Federal fear of Penang making it a success?

The only problem is that federal government might not be counted upon to transfer this iconic landmark to the Penang government.

It is afraid that if this handover takes place, there is high probability that Penang will make a success of this service and contribute to shaming the federal authorities.

The ferry service was started in 1920, during the colonial period. It was the only link between the mainland and the island, before the first bridge linking these two places was built in the early 1980s.

The ferry service is going down the drain simply because of mismanagement and neglect. Of course, the priority given to the two bridges is not doing anything good to revive the ferry transport system.

There is a need for alternative forms of transport that could rely on ferries, water taxis, monorail system and others.

Unfortunately, there is no political will on the part of the federal government to think of alternative ways of reducing cars on the roads in Penang.

Somehow or rather, the built-in bias for more roads and tolls seem to militate against alternative, cheap and reliable forms of transport that would in the long-run free the roads of congestion and pollution.

An iconic service and a tourist landmark

The ferry service in Penang is an iconic one. It is one of the main tourist landmarks in Penang that enhances the status as heritage city.

Those tourists visiting Penang would not forget to take a ride in the ferry!

As it would be impossible for PPSB to turn around the ferry service without the injection of cash. I am not sure that whether the Ministry of Transport is willing to do this.

There is some wild speculation that if the federal government opens up a new airport in Kulim, then there is the possibility that the Penang International Airport might be closed down.

When it comes to the ferry service, is there a clandestine attempt to close down the ferry service?

Why are Penang and its people being punished for wanting to do things properly?

Unless the federal government is willing to own up to its mistakes and responsibility towards the people in Penang, the ferry service stands to be swept in the dustbin of history.

This talk about handing over the ferry service to Penang will remain a “fairy tale”, unless the federal government owns up to its mistakes and follies!

P RAMASAMY is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang and the assemblyperson for Perai.