More jetties plannedto attract sailors to Johor

The Passage to Langkawi Yacht Rally will cover a distance of over 3,000 nautical miles from Darwin, Australia to Langkawi.

NUSAJAYA: Johor is expected to build more jetties to welcome a greater number of local and international sailors within the next four years.

State Tourism Department director Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim said that currently there are only two jetties in Puteri Harbour and Danga Bay respectively offering such facilities for ships to berth.

He said the Danga Bay jetty has been temporarily closed.

“We hope to set up more such facilities in the west and east parts of the state as this will boost the tourism sector,” he said in a press conference here after attending the Passage to Langkawi Yacht Rally.

He added that the state would also assist the private sector in such ventures by helping them with Customs and immigration procedures.

“Puteri Harbour is a popular pit stop for sailors.

Sazli said: 'There are about 80 people on 35 yachts from nine countries participating in this expedition.'

“Among the facilities available include laundry service, cafés, information centre, bathrooms and also transportation to travel to the Johor Baru city centre,” he added.

Meanwhile, SM Discovery Sdn Bhd managing director Sazli Kamal Basha said that the yacht rally, which began in July will cover a distance of over 3,000 nautical miles.

The sailors will travel from Darwin, Australia to Langkawi and the journey will take five months.

“There are about 80 people on 35 yachts from nine countries participating in this expedition.

Badrul said: "Puteri Harbour is a popular pit shop for sailors. Among the facilities available include laundry service, cafes, information centre, bathrooms and also transportation to travel to the Johor Baru city centre."

“Among the countries taking part are Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Britain and the United States,” he said.

Sazli added that the objective of the expedition was to give participants a chance to experience the facilities available on the west coast of Peninsualr Malaysia apart from learning about different cultures.