The Transport Ministry plans to build a new jetty for passenger ferry operations to Langkawi as a long-term solution to the sedimentation problems that often occur at the Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis jetties.

Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong said the problems were so frequent that the government had to spend about RM50 million every two years to carry out dredging works to enable passenger ferries to the resort island to continue.

“The ministry is looking to find a location that can benefit both Kedah and Perlis so that we can solve this problem for the long term. We are still discussing and I will announce the details later,” he told reporters after opening the Perlis MCA Convention in Kangar, today.

He said the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (Mima), under the Transport Ministry, was still studying suitable areas between Kedah and Perlis for the construction of a passenger jetty.

“We already have a special allocation for the Kuala Kedah jetty but if we build it in Kuala Kedah it cannot solve the problem, so we have to find a more suitable site,” he said.

Wee said even after the completion of the new jetty, the Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis jetties continue to be used other purposes, including cargo services or for the use of fishermen.

On the dredging work at the Kuala Kedah jetty, he said as of yesterday, it was 75% completed and expected to be fully completed in November, while the dredging work at the Kuala Perlis jetty was slightly delayed due to equipment problems and the lack of manpower.

“...according to the contract, it is expected to be completed next year,” he said. – Bernama, September 10, 2022.