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Langkawi Folk Against Any Rise In Ferry Fares
Langkawi`s 65,000 inhabitants are against any increase in ferry fares.
Langkawi Umno division chief Abu Bakar Taib, who is also Langkawi MP, handed over to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday a memorandum protesting against proposals by ferry operators to charge more for the Kuala Kedah-Langkawi and Kuala Perlis-Langkawi routes.
The rate now is RM15 one-way from Kuala Kedah and RM12 one-way from Kuala Perlis. For children, it`s RM9 and RM7, respectively.
Division committee member Sirat Sidik said the ferry was the only mode of transport for the locals.
"People need to go to the mainland for various reasons, including for medical treatment. We have been hearing that the operators want to raise the fare because of an increase in fuel prices."
"Most of the people here are not well off. Tourism has also been severely affected. Many people in the retail industry are complaining that business is down by at least 40%," he said.
Najib had earlier opened the first Langkawi-made luxury yacht, the Destini 46, at Telaga Harbour Park in Langkawi.
Zaienal Abidin Omar, the managing director of Destini Marine Sdn Bhd, which built the yacht, said his company was eyeing the international market.
"We are confident we can penetrate the international market, as we are offering quality yachts at half the price," he said.
Zaienal said a yacht like Destini 46 could fetch RM2.2mil to RM2.3mil on the international market.
Alor Setar 10/04/2005
