GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has urged the Penang Port Commission (PPC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the collision of a Penang ferry and chemical tanker MV Mekar Jaya.
The collision which occurred within the Penang Port limits near the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal (PSAH) on Sept 1left 21 ferry passengers injured.
“The incident could have been disastrous,” said CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 8)
Mohideen said CAP welcomed the PPC’s investigation and said the collision warranted close scrutiny, particularly following the implementation of the PPC’s first Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) in June.
The system was introduced to enhance safety, efficiency and sustainability at Penang Port and has the capability to monitor vessel movements using radar and the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
“It is also important to establish whether any warning or communication was issued to either vessel before the collision,” he said.
Mohideen also called for the findings of the investigation to be made public.
“The findings should also help prevent such incidents in the future. In the meantime, those responsible for the collision must be held accountable,” he said.
