LABUAN: Sabah should consider reviving its ro-ro service between Menumbok and Labuan which was surrendered to a private operator who made megabucks during PBS rule.
“This is because the service is profitable due to the heavy reliance and is essential for Sabah’s economy.
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“It should not be left totally dependent on private operators.
“The ro-ro ferry business is a money-making concern as seen by the increased number of ferries on the route and the surging volume of traffic annually.
“The State Government could use one of its many entities to invest on the business,” said activist Lau Seng Kiat.
He said not only travellers were using the service but also Sabah-based manufacturers and wholesalers to ship products via Menumbok.
“There is room for faster and more efficient service on the busy route.”
The service is presently handled by two private operators and often commuters are at their mercy.
“For the State Government to venture into the business is not new.
It was the Berjaya government which initiated the service and set the route more than 40 years ago before it was privatised by the PBS Government,” said Lau.
The first ro-ro ferry to ply the Labuan-Menumbok sector was the “Jelajah” built at cost of RM2.6 million in Sandakan and began its maiden run in 1980. It was operated by the Marine Department. It could carry 162 passengers and 16 cars.
Lau said, in fact, additional and modern ferries can be the alternative to building a costly RM6 billion bridge link, a project not seen as aligned to Madani Government’s policy to spend only what it could afford.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during his visit here in December 2023, said it made no economic sense to spend RM6 billion when Labuan’s population is only in the tens of thousands.
Recently, Member of Parliament Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman proposed that Labuan Corporation (LC) enter the service following the temporary suspension of online ticketing by an operator sparking fury among thousands of stranded commuters.
Lau said if the Sarawak Government could acquire MasWings and rename it AirBorneo to provide better air services for Sarawakians, Sabah could have its own ferry to provide better sea link between the island and mainland Sabah.
Meanwhile, a notice posted near the ticket counter of the operator read “Pelayaran Untok Bulan Disember 2025 Dibuka Sehingga 18hb Sahaja”.
Which meant that all trips after Dec 18 were full and thousands of Sabahans studying or working in Labuan would be unable to join their families unless they use the Labuan-KK fast boat which only operates on weekends or buy costly air tickets.
