All roll-on-roll-off (ro-ro) ferries plying the Labuan-Menumbok-Labuan route are still relatively new, well-maintained and safe for the public, according to the operator Labuan Mainland Link Sdn Bhd.
Labuan Mainland Link chairman Datuk Chin Hon Vui said the ferries, aged between three and nine years, are still in good condition.
“We must firmly deny any allegations that one of our ferries is in poor condition and at risk of splitting in two. All our ferries are less than 10 years old and undergo regular maintenance to ensure public safety,” he told Bernama today.
Labuan Mainland Link operates four ro-ro ferries, namely Putrajaya 1, Goodwill Star, Kimanis 1 and Joy Star.
Putrajaya 1, which is the largest, can accommodate 85 vehicles and 500 passengers. Goodwill Star can take 85 vehicles and 420 passengers, while Kimanis 1 and Joy Star can each accommodate 55 vehicles and 220 passengers.
He was clarifying a 48-second video which went viral alleging that one of the Labuan-Menumbok-Labuan ferries is in bad shape, rusty and on the verge of splitting.
“I have been receiving non-stop WhatsApp messages and calls since yesterday about the video, whether it is true that our ro-ro ferries are in bad condition.
“The sharing of the video showing a certain part of a ferry about to split is an irresponsible act aimed at frightening people from boarding the ferry to Labuan and Sabah,” he said.
“The ferry shown in the video is not one of the ferries plying the Labuan-Menumbok-Labuan route, and the vehicle’s registration numbers shown on board are not Malaysian-registered,” he added.
Chin said his company would not hesitate to lodge a police report if people continued to share the video.
He said the company was prepared to subject all its ferries to inspections by the authorities.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
