ALOR STAR – The Kedah government has lauded Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd for abolishing its plans to increase ferry ticket fares for Malaysian passengers in the coming year.
Kedah State Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Salleh Saidin said the decision eased public worries over the fare increase that would have coincided with Visit Kedah Year 2025 (VK2025).
“They would have affected the state government’s efforts to develop the tourism industry,” Salleh said. “I discussed this with the ferry operators to ensure that they are aware of my intention to boost Kedah tourism,” he said.
Salleh explained that while the operators are facing challenges such as rising costs from high minimum wages, the Transport Ministry is addressing this issue by investigating diesel subsidies.
He added that later ferries will return to service after the completion of dredging works at the ferry terminal in February 2024 and that operators have agreed to operate night ferries for strategic events including the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA’25).,
Eugene Dass, chairman of the Malaysian Association of Hotels Kedah/Perlis chapter, also lauded the decision, stating that it was crucial for the local tourism sector.
Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures had previously announced an increase in the fare from RM3 to RM10. 50 for round trips to Langkawi from both Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis that is set to take effect on January 1, 2025, but withdrew the plan after deliberation and concerns from the public
