Labuan in danger of losing new ferry service
Published on: Sunday, September 21, 2014
LABUAN: Roll-on roll-off ferry 'Kimanis 1' is "grounded" in a dilemma here.The vessel is unable to resume its Labuan-Menumbok service because for some unknown reasons the licence holder for the service has not given the green light to the operator.It is feared that if the situation persists, the vessel may be compelled to pull out of operation in this sector. If this happens, it will cause travel blues to hundreds of commuters between the two points.
ADVERTISEMENT
Many in Labuan are already feeling the "pinch" of reduced ferry service and are worried the situation may be even worse during the peak times.Chairman of the Labuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce (LCCC), Datuk Wong Kii Yii (pic), when contacted, said: "It is a serious matter and the Ministry of Transport (MOT) should, without delay, resolve the problem considering that ferry services are very important for Labuan."He suggested that the vessel owner cum operator be given approval to run the business without the need for the owner to have a charterer.
ADVERTISEMENT
"This is a sure way of ensuring that the ferry service will not be disrupted since the owner and licence holder is the same company."Under the present situation, Wong said, the licence holder (Juta Bonus), though having no vessel and not invested in one, had been issued with a licence to operate the ferry service.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The deserving party, which is the builder and operator of the vessel, has to depend on the charterer who holds merely a piece of paper," he added. Not only the ferry "Kimanis 1" but also the larger vessel "Putra Jaya 1", which is now also operating the route, is run by a charterer. Both the vessels were built in Sarawak by Jaya Coastal Marine Logistics at an estimated cost of RM60 million each.Wong said it was a huge business risk for a company to invest such an amount for the sake of helping the Government to fulfil its promise to deliver improved ferry services, adding that the MOT should take a look at this seriously. He said the owner (Jaya Coastal) now seems to face some problems with the licence holder, adding this may also happen later in the case of Putra Jaya. "If the two vessels for whatever reason cannot operate, the problems Labuan would face is unimaginable," said Wong.Jaya Coastal Managing Director Mej (R) David Ling said: "Kimanis has been waiting at the anchorage since Sept 15 to resume its services and had returned to the charterer on Sept 18 but there had been no response and the uncertainty placed the company in an unwanted dilemma."Kimanis", with a capacity for 49 vehicles and 264 passengers, commenced service in August 2011 and was chartered by Juta Bonus.The other vessel Putra Jaya, of which Jaya Logistical is also the owner and operator and chartered by Labuan Mainland Link, could carry 100 cars and 500 passengers. It began service in May this year. With these vessels of Jaya Coastal, there were no travel complaints between the two points. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
