By Shikin Louis
TELOK MELANO, Aug 21: The proposed link between Telok Melano in southern Sarawak and Pulau Tioman in Pahang could see the Feri Malaysia concept revived as an exclusive tourism experience rather than a regular ferry service.
Tanjung Datu assemblyman Azizul Annuar Adenan said the idea was not impossible, although the roughly 600km distance between the two destinations would make regular ferry commuting impractical.
“It is not impossible for us to revive such a concept. However, in my personal view, I think we should make it an exclusive trip rather than a commuting trip.
“We know that the distance of 600km is quite far, and travelling by a ferry that operates at only 10 to 15 knots would take a considerable amount of time.
“On top of that, unstable sea conditions would certainly make the journey even more challenging,” he told reporters when met at the newly-officiated Masjid Al-Sultan Abdullah here today.
He was responding to the Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s suggestion of a connection between Pulau Tioman and Telok Melano, reflecting the close ties between Sarawak and Pahang while creating a new tourism opportunity linking two destinations.
Azizul added that a connection could potentially be realised through either ferry or air services in the future.
He also said there had previously been plans to develop a port or long jetty in the Telok Melano area to cater to cruise ships and other vessels as part of efforts to expand the local tourism industry.
“This industry is very much in line with the vision of the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and private investors, where Sematan and Telok Melano are set to be developed with additional resorts,” he said.
Azizul said the area was already seeing further tourism development, with another resort groundbreaking expected to take place in Sematan during the Rimba & Run programme on Sept 6, to be launched by the Premier.
Across from Telok Melano, he said, a resort in Kampung Telok Serabang was also currently under construction.
Meanwhile, Azizul expressed his appreciation to the Sultan of Pahang for returning to Telok Melano to officiate the newly completed mosque, which His Royal Highness had helped launch during the Kembara Kenali Borneo royal tour in Sept 2023.
He said Kembara Kenali Borneo had contributed RM3.8 million towards additional works for the mosque project when the Sultan was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. — DayakDaily
