‘White elephant’ ferry terminals in Johor

The Tanjung Belungkor and Changi ferry terminals are in danger of becoming ‘white elephant’ projects as they are rarely utilised by the public.

The Johor Port Authority (LPJ), an agency under the transport ministry, needs to find an immediate solution to salvage the ferry terminals. LPJ former chairman Abdul Halim Sulaiman claimed both ferry terminals built at a cost of RM50 million were rarely used by the public due to LPJ’s failure to develop it.

“We have good infrastructure in Tanjung Belungkor and Changi, but it is not put to use. It’s a huge waste and if left as they are, they will become ‘white elephants’,” he said today.

Despite being ferry terminals both facilities currently do not provide ferry services. The Changi Ferry Terminal, although situated in Singapore, is fully owned and managed by the LPJ, through land rentals worth RM500,000 annually from the Singapore Government.

In relation to that, Abdul Halim who is also Puteri Wangsa assemblyman and Tebrau Umno division chief, wants the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to get involved and conduct investigations.

“We ask for the PAC to intervene and investigate if there were any wastage of the people’s money due to lack of commitment in developing the terminals,” he said.

He said the Tanjung Belungkor Ferry Terminal’s location near Singapore and Indonesia gives it the potential to become a main entry point for tourists from both countries, as well as a sea transport hub connecting the Stulang Laut Ferry
Terminal in Johor Bahru.

Meanwhile, the Changi Ferry Terminal situated next to the Changi International Airport, could help transport tourists straight from the airport to Johor to discover some of east Johor’s most beautiful islands, added Abdul Halim.

He said growth in east Johor was expected to flourish with the completion of the Senai-Desaru Expressway soon, as well as the government’s plan to develop Pengerang as the nation’s newest oil and gas industry hub.

He said both ferry terminals required a breath of fresh air in terms of marketing strategy to ensure both facilities could contribute to the country’s prosperity.

– Bernama