Nod To Explore Resumption Of Ferry Service
Monday, 21 Jun 2004 (Source: Bernama)

KOTA KINABALU: The Cabinet has agreed in principle to the idea of resuming the ferry service connecting Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said Monday.

The government would identify its role in the service which had received good response from the people in the three territories, he said.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Unity and National Integration Department here today, Dr Ongkili said the matter would be pursued further at the first meeting of the newly-appointed members of the National Unity Council in August.

"The proposal to reintroduce the ferry service will be tabled as one of the items in the meeting agenda," he said.

Dr Ongkili who is the minister in charge of unity and national integration said several parties had also forwarded their proposals on how the ferry service could be operated.

The new service would still maintain the concept of unity and integration by creating the atmosphere for interaction among the passengers as well as the provision for cultural performance on board.

During his visit to the department, Dr Ongkili was briefed by its director Rohani Hussain Merican on the operation in Sabah, its planning as well as activities.

He also conveyed to them the ministry's vision to take unity and national integration to the frontlines.

"We are in the process of revitalising the Rukun Tetangga. We want to inject dynamism into it to make it even more relevent, contrary to the perception that it had outlived its usefulness," he said.

"We are inviting more proposals from the private sector regarding its format, content and so on. They are welcomed to submit it to the Director-General of the Unity and National Integration Department or directly to me.

"We want to have as many proposals as possible. We want more inputs such as on the ports of calls, duration of journey and so on," he said.

Dr Ongkili said that the proposed service would be different from Ferry Malaysia operated by the government using the Cruise Muhibbah craft -- which ceased operation in 1997 due to losses.

It would be operated by the private sector and transport not only passengers but also their cars as well as goods.

"We believe the situation has now changed, the market for such service is very much different now compared to then, and there is also a large number of people from Sabah and Sarawak working in the Peninsula and vice-versa," he said.