PETALING JAYA: Dredging will be carried out at Kuala Perlis Jetty to overcome sedimentation issues at the terminal, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       He said the Transport Ministry, through the Marine Department, had appointed a contractor to carry out dredging work through Emergency Procurement at the jetty basin.

       He said the dredging work, which started on Sunday (Feb 6), would be completed on Feb 20.

       This comes after a viral video showing a large crowd of people stranded at the Langkawi Ferry Terminal on the island.

       On Feb 2, the ferry, which was headed to Kuala Perlis, was delayed by eight hours.

       Dr Wee explained that the situation occurred as the water level at the Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal was below 1.6m.

       “Ferries in operation are only able to dock and sail when the tide is higher.

       “This caused delays in the arrival of ferries from Kuala Perlis Jetty and also caused congestion at the Langkawi Ferry Terminal in Kuah,” he said in a statement on Monday (Feb 7).

       Dr Wee said that the Marine Department carried out dredging work with a groove length of 5.6km at a depth of 2.0 meters chart datum (CD) at Kuala Perlis Jetty since August 2018 to March 2019, at a cost of RM13.8mil to overcome sedimentation problems that often occur at the terminal.

       “Periodic dredging works carried out by the Marine Department have not only improved the safety of ferry passengers, fishermen and boat operators in these waters, but also directly benefited locals to overcome the high tide phenomenon that causes the overflow of seawater and floods in Kuala Perlis and local areas.

       “The dredging project can boost various economic sectors as well as improve the socio-economic status of the locals, while ensuring the logistics chain to Langkawi island.

       “The dredging methods and techniques have undergone various revolutions, including refining the ‘sediment trap’ method implemented,” he said.

       Meanwhile, Dr Wee said the Transport Ministry had appointed the Irrigation and Drainage Department to carry out a study on more sustainable solutions to address sedimentation problems that disrupt the navigational flow and basin of the Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal.

       The study, he said, is scheduled for completion on Feb 28.

       To overcome the high sedimentation rate, Dr Wee said dredging the shipping channel and the Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal basin has been listed and approved as a priority project under the 12th Malaysia Plan.

       “The Marine Department is currently carrying out more comprehensive dredging work covering deep dredging in the basin in front of Kuala Perlis Jetty and also a 9km long navigation channel at a depth of 4m CD and 70m wide.

       “The Transport Ministry is confident that the work can be completed as soon as possible to ensure the smooth operation of ferry services for the convenience and continuity of maritime transport movement in the Kuala Kedah-Kuala Perlis sector in Langkawi,” he said.