ROMPIN: A Barisan Nasional lawmaker has voiced concern about slowing visitor numbers to Pulau Tioman since the ferry fuel surcharge came into effect on April 20. Tioman assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Hussain urged the Pahang government to step in with solutions to ensure that tourist arrivals to the duty-free island remain unaffected.
"I view the fuel surcharge as an additional cost for travellers, on top of the ticket price ranging between RM55 and RM60 one way. It will be a burden, especially for large families or big groups. "Exemptions from the ferry fuel surcharge to the island would help boost visitor arrivals and encourage more people to travel domestically," he said when contacted today. Johari said there were initially talks earlier this month about imposing a RM16 fuel surcharge on all passengers, including Malaysians, travelling to Pulau Tioman, but the plan did not materialise following objections from various quarters. "Then, the Transport Ministry introduced a targeted nationwide fuel surcharge mechanism. Perhaps the state government could implement measures to absorb the additional cost," he said. Last week, a resort owner on Pulau Tioman said post-monsoon visitor arrivals have been sluggish amid fuel price uncertainty, warning that the timing of the tiered ferry fuel surcharge could disrupt travel plans.
Meanwhile, Pahang Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said the state government is studying suitable measures to cushion the impact of the fuel surcharge but declined to elaborate further. The Penang Port Commission and Penang Port Sdn Bhd have announced their decision not to impose a fuel surcharge on ferry services, despite the government introducing a nationwide fuel surcharge mechanism on April 20.
Source: NST
