MOTORISTS using the roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) ferry services between Labuan and Menumbok are frustrated over the poor surface conditions at both ferry terminals.
Motorists, particularly those with vehicles featuring low front spoilers, had repeatedly voiced concerns over damage sustained while embarking or disembarking, due to uneven and steep inclines at the ramps – an issue which becomes especially problematic during low tide.
“This has been going on for years. Every time I take the ferry, I hold my breath when going over the ramp,” said Jason Lim, a frequent commuter.
“My car’s spoiler got torn off last year due to the ramp issue, and nothing has changed since then,” he said, adding that the issue stemmed from a lack of proper maintenance of the terminal landing surfaces.
Lim said the transition from the jetty to the ferry was far from smooth, due to the uneven surface at the landing point.
Several motorists echoed similar frustrations, noting that the issue has been repeatedly raised over the years, with no visible improvements.
“We pay landing fees at the Menumbok Ferry Terminal, yet every trip risks damage to our vehicles,” said Siti Noraini, a Labuan resident.
Bernama reported that the public was calling for the Sabah Ports and Harbour Department as well as Labuan Marine Department to resurface the landing zones immediately and redesign ferry ramps to better accommodate low-clearance vehicles, such as modern sedans and hatchbacks.
Local tour agent Monica Francis said that with both tourism and trade relying heavily on the smooth flow of vehicles between the island and mainland, the problem was more than just a nuisance.
“It is a significant barrier to safe and reliable transport.
“Until proper repairs and upgrades are made, motorists will continue to bear the cost of what they see as an entirely avoidable issue,” she said.
