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MIRI, Sept 3: The Chamber of Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs (DUBS) Miri is suggesting the government reestablish the ‘Feri Malaysia’ service to help boost the tourism industry in Sarawak.
DUBS Miri chairman Mohammad Hafidz Rohani said the chamber’s members want to see the tourism industry in this State continue to grow.
“We believe with the reinstatement of this ferry service, Malaysians will have the option to come to Sarawak using their own vehicles on the ferry to cross the South China Sea to Sarawak, apart from boarding airplanes to boost up the local tourism industry,” he said.
“The caravan tourism industry that is gaining ground in the peninsula will be able to expand and the time they will spend enjoying the beauty of Borneo, especially Sarawak and Sabah, will be much longer. They will also be able to drive along the Pan Borneo Highway and making pit stops in small towns that will eventually help the local agrotourism industry,” he added.
He added, the shipping industry in Sarawak will also benefit.
Echoing similar views was DUBS Miri’s former secretary Abdul Razak Joni.
He strongly believes that the reestablishment of the ‘Feri Malaysia’ service as it was back in 1981 to 1984, will bring the process of national integration closer and give families more options to enjoy the beauty of Sarawak and Sabah at a much cheaper cost.
“The logistics industry may also be able to grow and provide more cost-effective services,” he opined, adding that with the current technology, more cost-effective services can be offered by these ferry operators in the future.
“Amongst initiatives that they (government) can provide are tax exemptions, start-up fund grants from both the federal and local governments can encourage the involvement of companies operating these services,” he pointed out. — DayakDaily
