THE best thing to come out of the Tg Piai by-election in Johor more than three weeks ago was the reopening of the international ferry terminal, said residents of Kukup, a fishing village in the parliamentary constituency.

They told The Malaysian Insight the opening has given the local economy a boost as travellers throng the jetty to go Indonesia and by extension, spend at the local shops in Kukup.

The taxi drivers also gush about how the additional business helping them with cost-of-living issues as ferry passengers use their service after almost two months of poor business.

The terminal was closed from September 1 after the previous operator had issues with the Johor government but midway through the Tg Piai by-election, it reopened.

It serves as a gateway to Tg Balai in Indonesia.

Johor Menteri Besar Dr Sahruddin Jamal on November 7 said the operations at the Kukup International Ferry Terminal are now being handled by the Johor Public Corporation (PAJ).

The terminal handles an estimated 13,000 passengers a month.

It may have been a sop from Pakatan Harapan to woo voters but the local business community is thankful for it.

Parking lot operator Md Sanusi Abdullah, 58, told The Malaysian Insight the jetty functioning again is a huge relief for businesses here.

“We are able to make money and it helps us as we struggled for two months,” said Sanusi.

Business in Kukup dropped by 90% when the terminal closed.

Sanusi said Indonesians like to shop before heading back and traders here enjoy brisk business.

“My company was only able to employ two out of four workers when the jetty was closed because they couldn’t pay for extra staff,” said Sanusi, who said many parked there when they went on day trips to Tg Balai, Indonesia.

The car park operator made RM80 per week instead of RM80 to RM100 a day when the jetty was operating.

Sanusi said the by-election did bring some relief as his facility was used when Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad came for the grand speech at the bus and taxi terminal in Kukup.

“PH came and rented my parking space and they paid RM500. I got extra money to add to my basic income,” he said with a smile.

When the jetty was closed, the operator moved temporarily to Puteri Harbour international ferry terminal in Iskandar Puteri.

However, visitors prefer to use Kukup to get to Tg Balai because of the shorter distance and convenience.

The return fee from Kukup to Tg Balai is RM125 while the fee from Puteri Harbour is RM126.

The travel time from Kukup only takes one hour compared with two from Puteri Harbour.

A convenience store owner, who identified himself as Ang, said his business was recovering after two months of almost zero income.

“It is good that the jetty is back in business if not my monthly income is affected. Two months without much income or customers,” said Ang.

Locals, especially the youth see the reopening of the ferry terminal as providing job opportunities.

“I am waiting if PAJ wants to hire people. I would like to apply for it. The old concessionaire was not hiring. Maybe youngsters like us can be hired,” said Zaharuddin Ithnin, 23.

The reopening of the jetty also saw upgrades to the roads to Pontian Kechil, Kukup and Pekan Nanas.

There were clear signs of repair works to cover up potholes.

Tg Piai folk also hope that all RM19 million development projects announced by PH during the campaign period will be carried out even when the opposition won.

“I am waiting for the projects worth millions announced during the campaign period,” said Ahmad Hamidi Mansor.

Barisan Nasional wrested back the seat by 15,086 votes. BN’s Wee Jeck Seng polled 25,466 votes against the 10,380 obtained by PH’s Karmaine Sardini.

The by-election was called following the death of Dr Md Farid Md Rafik on September 21 from heart complications. – December 11, 2019.