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Langkawi Ferry Fare Hike Postponed
A copy of the letter was displayed on the notice board at Kuah jetty. On Wednesday, the ferry operators announced that they would raise one-way fares by RM3 from Oct 1 in view of the increase in world oil price.
JMV Ferry Services Sdn Bhd managing director, Ku Azhar Ku Abdul Razak, told Bernama that the ferry operators respected the ministry's directive but he hoped the higher fares could be implemented soon. Seraya Bayu Sdn Bhd managing director, Abdul Rauf Abdul Samad, said the operators plan to hold further discussions with the Transport Ministry. "We still want the RM3 increase to be implemented soon so as to cut our losses," he said.
Meanwhile, Kedah Culture, Arts and Tourism Committee chairman, Nawawi Ahmad, said the postponement would be welcomed by the public. However, Langkawi UMNO Youth executive committee member, Ahmad Sobri Pawantah, expressed concern that a fare hike could result in higher taxi fares and prices of goods on the island.
On Friday morning some 300 people, including Langkawi residents and UMNO members, staged a peaceful protest in front of the Kuah jetty, with banners and posters condemning the fare hike as burdensome to residents who need to visit the mainland regularly.
LANGKAWI 1/10/2004
