Penang govt a step closer to taking over ferry services

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang govern-ment is attending a briefing in Putrajaya tomorrow on the proposed takeover of the management of ferry services in Penang.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state was invited by the Transport Ministry to attend the presentation led by the ministry deputy secretary-general of planning Datuk Ruhaizah Mohamed Rashid.

Lim said state secretary Datuk Seri Farizan Darus would represent Penang at the briefing.

“In our letter dated Dec 8 to the ministry, we have stated very clearly that we are willing to take over the ferry services, provided all the conditions we set are fulfilled,” he said at a press conference in Komtar yesterday.

It was earlier reported that the state government wanted to take over the ferry services, without bearing the debts incurred by the present management.

It had also requested 30 more licences from the Federal Government to operate mini ferries or water taxis.

The state government is willing to absorb all non-management workers of Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) but the services of management staff would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

In an unrelated development, Penang Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow, who was also at the press conference, said three briefing sessions on Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) would be held this month.

He said the sessions were in line with the state government’s promise to provide updated information on PTMP from time to time.

He said the first and second sessions would be held at Komtar and Penang Chinese Town Hall respectively on Monday.

Chow said the first session, starting from 9.30am, would be a closed-door session meant for MPs and Opposition assemblymen.

He added that the second briefing, to be conducted in Mandarin for the public, would begin at 8pm.

“A third session is scheduled to be held on Jan 18 for fishermen at 3pm. However, we have yet to decide on the venue.

“We are also open to any non-governmental organisations or associations which are interested, to hold a briefing session at their desired venue,” he said.