GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Port Commission (PPC) will call for a Request for Proposal (RFP) to turn the century-old iconic Penang car-carrying ferries, which was phased out on New Year’s Day, into floating museums, floating restaurants or tourist ferries.
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The 10-year lease will come with an option to extend for a further five years.
“The RFP is to implement Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong’s decision, taking into account the cultural and heritage sentiments of Penangites towards the iconic ferries,” PPC chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said today.
The RFP document, which will be on sale beginning Friday, will be advertised in PPC’s website, www.penangport.gov.my, its social media and mainstream media.
Companies interested in purchasing the RFP document must do so by Feb 15.
Due to the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), the RFP document will only be made available online. Closing date will be March 19.
“We urge qualified companies and the public to provide their suggestions on the offer,” added Tan.
He said state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari, representing the Penang government, held a discussion with him on Jan 11 about the ferries.
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“During the discussion, we requested the Penang government to share their plans for the iconic ferries. About a week later, on Jan 18, Zairil informed us of the Penang government’s intention to take over one of the iconic ferries.
“Taking into account the good relationship between both parties, and that both have the same intention, PPC has agreed to gift the Penang government one of the iconic ferries,” he added.
After nearly a century of service, Penang’s iconic ferries ceased operations on Dec 31.
Beginning Jan 1, this year, Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), which took over the ferry service from Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, began operating fast passenger boats between the mainland and the island, while one of the iconic ferries, Pulau Angsa, was used to transport only motorcycles and bicycles.
This is only in the interim before PPSB introduces passenger-only water buses and vehicle transporters by July 2022.
On Christmas eve, Wee had said that in order to preserve a slice of history unique to Penang, a process would be initiated to seek proposals to convert the existing ferries into floating restaurants, museums, and/or tourist cruises as suggested by various parties to highlight the vessels’ contribution to the cultural and heritage identity of the state.
He had also given his assurances that Penang’s 126-year-old ferry service, the oldest in the country, would be continued and modernised with priority given to passenger safety and comfort.- NST