PENGERANG (JOHOR): MALAYSIA'S Transport Minister is confident the opening of a new ferry route from Tanjung Pengelih, a main town in Johor, to Tanah Merah in Singapore will spur the local economy.
Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the new service, which started over the weekend, would bring in more tourist traffic and boost existing tourism attractions such as homestays.
'This new service will add to the existing bumboats that carry passengers from Tanjung Pengelih to the Changi Ferry Terminal in Singapore and to Batam and Tanjung Pinang in Indonesia as well.
'It will also spur the state's economy,' he said, after launching the Tanjong Pengelih Jetty Complex and Public Marina on Saturday.
Mr Ong explained that there was an increase in the number of passengers using the Tanjung Pengelih terminal to travel to and from the Changi Ferry Terminal.
'The number of passengers increased from 47,778 in 2007 to 48,689 in 2008,' he said.
The Tanjung Pengelih terminal, completed last year at a cost of RM39 million (S$16 million), is equipped with Customs, Immigration and Quarantine services.
With an integrated system which includes a 20-berth marina with landing ramp that can accommodate yachts of different sizes and recreational boats, the complex is expected to be a major attraction for yachting activities and marine tourism.
When asked whether the opening of the new route would affect the ferry businesses in the nearby Tanjung Belungkor jetty, Mr Ong said the additional route would actually bring in more economic activity.
'During this challenging era, besides facing the economic challenges, we have to learn to use our facilities to maximum capacity.'
He also announced that the Stulang Ferry Terminal in Johor Baru will be providing ferry services to Tanah Merah in Singapore.
THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK, BERNAMA
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