Tawau ferry terminal finally in operation
Published on: Tuesday, December 06, 2016
Tawau: The long-completed Tawau Ferry Terminal, here, which officially began operations Monday can enhance cooperation and bilateral relations between neighbouring countries within the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines–East Asian Growth Area (Bimp-Eaga). State Economic Planning Unit Director Datuk Osman Jamal said the terminal is the best in Sabah so far as it is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities which quickly allow for early detection of attempts to violate the law. "This is the State Government's effort to improve marine services in Tawau-Nunukan-Tarakan-Tawau with safety being a priority and are expected to provide good returns to the government and Fokasjadi Sdn Bhd appointed as the company's concession.
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"The terminal is also consistent with Malaysia-Indonesia policy through Bimp-Eaga to enhance cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries, while improving the domestic economy of this region," he said, Monday, after a meeting with agencies involved in the operation of the new terminal. Osman said the State Government appointed Fokasjadi to operate the terminal for 30 years based on the privatisation process of the Sabah Ports Authority with Suria Capital for all ports in the State in 2004, which means the company has 23 years left to operate. The State government, he said, hopes the new terminal operation takes place in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures set by the government as approved by the State Cabinet.He said this was to ensure the facility is used in an organised and systematic manner, and most importantly be able to address security issues among users and the State. "The State government also hopes that the terminal is maintained and administered properly so that it can give good returns to the government and appointed concessionaire," he said.
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Meanwhile, Sabah Ports Authority General Manager Maisuri Besri said passengers from both countries can enjoy greater convenience with the official opening of the terminal operations. The new terminal, he said, has four pontoons and can accommodate eight ferries docked or anchored simultaneously.
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Tawau Municipal Council President Alijus Sipil said they would hold a meeting in the near future to improve the old Customs Immigrations and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex which is now the centre for residents landing from Pulau Sebatik to the mainland. He said the old CIQ centre's operation is from 6am to 6pm following the closure of the landing centre for islanders at Batu-Batu Sabindo recently. However, observations at the Batu-Batu location showed that there are still passenger boats from Pulau Sebatik which pick and drop passengers at the old site located not far from the old CIQ centre. The Indonesian side had reciprocated by building a new terminal at Nunukan almost a decade ago and had expected Malaysia to finish theirs earlier. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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