A 10-MINUTE boat ride to Kuala Terengganu only costs RM1 per trip for the villagers of Kampung Seberang Takir.
These trips are serviced by small, roofed water taxis known as bot penambang.
This used to be the only way for locals to get daily supplies from the city before a bridge connecting Kuala Terengganu to the village was built.
The penambang jetty, which is the main transport hub where the water taxis dock, may see even less traffic now that the state government has plans to build a second bridge. For the boat operators, this new development poses a concern that many will opt to use the new bridge instead of the boat service.
For now, boats are still the fastest mode of transport, as taking the existing bridge doubles the travelling time.
The boats are also the best way for visitors to see Kampung Seberang Takir, as many cottage industries are located just a stone’s throw away from the jetty, from the manufacturing of food items such as belacan and anchovies, to batik printing.
However, these industries may soon fade away as the younger generation have no interest in continuing the business. – September 5, 2017.
Workers checking the boat at the penambang jetty of Kampung Seberang Takir in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. A 10-minute boat ride to Kuala Terengganu only costs RM1 per trip. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September 5, 2017.A couple at the beach of Kampung Seberang Takir in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September 5, 2017Children playing football in the evening at Kampung Seberang Takir in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September 5, 2017.A boat operator waiting for passengers near the penambang jetty at Kampung Seberang Takir in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. The penambang jetty is the main transport hub where the water taxis dock. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September 5, 2017.A modern commercial boats seen from another boat heading towards the penambang jetty in Kampung Seberang Takir. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September 5, 2017.Passengers wait for their boat to berth at penambang jetty near Pasar Payang in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. Boats are still the fastest mode of transport as taking the bridge doubles the travelling time. - The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September 5, 2017.A man arranging belacan at Kampung Seberang Takir in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. The boats are also the best way for visitors to see Kampung Seberang Takir's many cottage industries. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September 5, 2017.A worker checking anchovies to makes shrimp paste at Kampung Seberang Takir in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September 5, 2017.Workers painting a sheet of batik at a warehouse in Kampung Seberang Takir in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September 5, 2017.A worker paints batik at a warehouse in Kampung Seberang Takir, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September 5, 2017.
Comments