TAWAU: A ‘ferry strike’ has apparently left hundreds of travellers bound for Tarakan and Nunukan stranded in Tawau over the last few days as a result, it is believed, of the Tarakan and Nunukan based ferry operators’ reluctance to comply with the requirements of the newly transformed Tawau ferry terminal that started operation on December 5.
Fokasjadi Sdn Bhd general manager, Lim Yit Kiong, said the poor coordination by the ferry operators has not only put travellers in difficulty and inconvenience, but also created problems and hindered the sale of ferry tickets to travellers at the Tawau ferry terminal.
Lim said because of the poor coordination among the ferry operators particularly on their operating schedule, there were instances where no ferry service was available despite travellers having bought the ferry tickets.
There were also instances when all the ferries arrived at the same time and times when there are no ferries at the terminal here. This uncoordinated operating schedule of the ferry services has to a great extent affected the ticketing procedures.
Lim disclosed this after meeting with DAP Sri Tanjung assemblyman, Chan Foong Hin, DAP Youth chief, Vincent Fung, PKR Kalabakan Youth chief, Asis bin Bakri, and other members at the conference hall of the Tawau ferry terminal here yesterday morning.
In Tawau, ferry tickets are sold by the concessionaire, Fokasjadi Sdn Bhd., while in Tarakan and Nunukan, Indonesian companies are selling the tickets there.
The standard operating procedures (SOP) on ferry operation and the relevant fares structure have been jointly agreed to by the ferry operators, government departments and other related agencies during three meetings held before the ferry terminal began operation.
A one-way ticket between Tawau and Tarakan costs RM145 (for adult) and RM80 (for children) while a one-way ticket between Tawau and Nunukan costs RM90 (adult) and RM45 (children). The fare is inclusive of the Tawau ferry terminal fee of RM15.
The imposition of the ferry terminal fee is to defray the cost for the upgraded facilities and equipment to be in line with an international-standard ferry terminal.
“We have given a free baggage allowance of 10 kilogrammes of hand-carried luggage for every passenger while checked in baggage (in the cargo hold) is limited to 20 kilogrammes per passenger at a charge of RM1.30 per kilogramme taking into consideration the safety of the ferry and passengers.
“In fact, daily we have five ferry round-trips to Nunukan and one ferry round-trip ferry to Tarakan. We are hoping to have a departure at every two-hour intervals everyday. Our ferry terminal operational hours have temporarily been set from 7.30 am to 5 pm every day (including public holidays) except for Sunday,” Lim explained.
According to Lim, this new ferry terminal was set up in collaboration with the state government and Fokasjadi Sdn Bhd on a 23 years contract with a view to preventing fraud in the selling of ferry tickets elsewhere and to create a safe conditions for travel for the travellers.
During the meeting, Chan disclosed that he understands the Tarakan and Nunukan ferry operators have yet to commit on this matter possibly due to self-interest as each of them is competing to become the first operator to carry more passengers everyday to the extent that they are even prepared to race to achieve their objective.
In view of this, Chan strongly urged the relevant government agencies to lead the way to immediately solve this problem particularly the Ports and Harbours department, to set a definite operating schedule for the ferry operators.
In the meantime, the Indonesian Consulate in Tawau is also called upon to respond and resolve this matter and not adopt a dismissive attitude.