I urge the concessionaire authorised to operate the new Tawau Ferry Terminal to resolve the issue of “double charges” for every passenger arrival at the new ferry terminal from Indonesia as soon as possible. The concessionaire should comply with standard operating procedures (SOP) set up by the state government.
According to the Indonesian offcials, the public of Nunukan are not satisfied with the newly imposed “double charge” per head regardless entry to Tawau or departure from Tawau. Not only the RM15/head terminal fee, the luggage charges also said to be over the affordability for general public, with the first compliment 10kg, above it would be charged at RM1.30/kg until maximum load 30kg/head.
The operation of the new Tawau ferry terminal, is so important to have impact on the ties between these two ASEAN countries, Indonesia and Malaysia. The visit of a group of Indonesian officials here has shown that they took the issue seriously. Recently the protest by ferry operators in Nunukan and Tarakan to stop their service to Tawau against the double charges for four days have resulted in 700 passengers stranded in Tawau, definitely the issue has brought adverse impact to the economics of both countries.
Is the allegation by Indonesian officials accurate? Does the double charges to the passengers comply with SOP set up by the state government?
Fokusjadi Sdn Bhd, a local company has been entrusted with the responsibility of operating the terminal for 23 years. The Tawau Passenger Ferry Terminal which began operations since 5th December, provides convenience and comfort to more than 1,000 ferry users daily, involving a two-way Tawau-Nunukan journey and five trips (two-way) involving Tawau-Tarakan, Indonesia.
The new terminal is also used as Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) Centre to facilitate and expedite the movement of passengers between the two countries.
I sincerely hope that the issue pertaining the terminal fee would be resolved in the coming meeting held by Tawau Municipal Council with various government agencies, which is scheduled on 20th December.