KUCHING: Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has voiced his support for the proposed revival of the Malaysia ferry service which operated in the 1980s.
He said the initiative would significantly contribute to strengthening national integration, promoting trade, boosting the tourism industry and providing an alternative mode of travel between Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.
“Making this initiative become a reality is possible, if the federal government, together with the governments of Sarawak and Sabah, agree to move forward with the idea.
“And the revival, if any, should involve consent from the federal government, together with the governments of Sarawak and Sabah.
“Though much of the infrastructure would need to be upgraded, and it has to involve the private sector in a big way,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
For the record, the proposal was recently mooted by Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who suggested private sector participation to explore the revival of the Malaysia ferry service that once operated in the 1980s, to enhance connectivity between Borneo and the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
The Sultan said the effort would symbolise closer ties between the people of Sarawak and Pahang.
The ‘Feri Malaysia’ service, which operated from 1986 to 1989, connected Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Kuantan through a two-day voyage.
It was reported that the vessel had a capacity of 650 and could carry passenger vehicles.
Unfortunately, an engine fire occurred on October 18, 1987, near Tioman Island in Pahang, causing ‘Feri Malaysia’ to officially cease operations two years later.
