By Shikin Louis
TELOK MELANO, Aug 21: Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah wants to revive the former Feri Malaysia service as part of efforts to reconnect Pahang and Sarawak.
He said he was exploring ways to revive the sea connection, recalling that he had travelled on the ferry with his late father around 1986.
“I am also trying to revive it. There was once Feri Malaysia. Remember? I myself travelled on it with my late father,” he said when officiating Masjid Al-Sultan Abdullah in Telok Melano here today.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said the vessel was already old at the time and eventually could not be sustained.
“So we have to find other ways that can reconnect us,” he said.
He said stronger transport links between Pahang and Sarawak would help further strengthen ties between the people of the two regions.
Earlier, Al-Sultan Abdullah highlighted that Telok Melano was only about 333 nautical miles, or approximately 616km, from Pulau Tioman in Pahang.
He said the distance could be covered in about two hours and 10 minutes by helicopter, while a fast boat travelling at around 30 knots could take approximately 11 hours.
“So it is not that far,” he said.
The Sultan of Pahang was in Telok Melano today to officiate Masjid Al-Sultan Abdullah, which was named in his honour.
Also present were Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar. — DayakDaily
