Tuesday, December 06, 2005

New Labuan ferry terminal to open Dec 15

The new Labuan International Ferry Passenger Terminal
that will be operational on December 15. Photo: Norizan Murshid


By Rosli Abidin Yahya

After several opening delays due to technical problems, the RM30 million Labuan International Passengers Ferry Terminal is set to operate on December 15. The new terminal is expected to provide a more comfortable journey for visitors to the island.

According to LDA Holding Sdn Bhd, a company of Labuan Incorporation, tasked to operate the terminal, the new ferry terminal will be ready in less than ten days.

"We have made successful departure and arrival trials at both doors of the new terminal and we have studied all the weaknesses. We are ready for operation in ten days time," said Tan Hong Kee, Technical Manager of LDA Holding.

He said all computerised sales of ferry tickets and entries of passengers from Labuan to Brunei Darussalam, Kota Kinabalu, Lawas and Limbang including small passenger boats to Menumbok and Sipitang will be done at the terminals. Passengers using the international ferry to Brunei will be charged RM5 per person to go inside the terminal while those on local lanes like KK, Limbang and Lawas will be charged RM3.

At the old terminal, passengers were charged a flat rate of RM0.50 per person to enter the terminal building.

The new ferry terminal, which is considered one of the most modern and sophisticated in Borneo, will be able to handle more than 1,000 passengers at one time compared to 700 previously.

The terminal also comprises various components such as jetties, a passenger terminal building and offices of Labuan government agencies such as the Malaysian Royal Customs and Immigration Department.

The terminal will also accommodate a duty free shop, surau, a car park area and a large waiting area.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

No comments: