GEORGE TOWN: With Langkawi ready to welcome holidaymakers next Thursday, Kuala Perlis ferry operators will bump up their boat trips to the island following the Kuala Kedah ferry terminal’s closure due to the enhanced movement control order.

       Konsortium Ferry Line Ventures said it would have additional trips from the Kuala Perlis ferry terminal because the Kuala Kedah ferry terminal had been ordered to close for two weeks until Sept 19 due to a Covid-19 outbreak.

       Its human resources and operations manager Baharin Baharom said the company expected an influx of tourists to the island via Kuala Perlis.

       Currently, it is operating only one ferry trip to and from the island.

       The Langkawi to Kuala Perlis journey departs at 11am, and from Kuala Perlis to the island at 1pm.

       He said that after it was advised of the pending new standard operating procedure, it would determine the number of ferry trips it would ply.

       Baharin added that tourists preferred the Kuala Perlis ferry terminal because it had more parking spaces and shorter sea journey.

       Car rental operator Tarmizi Abdullah said he believed the suspension of the Kuala Kedah ferry terminal would affect the number of tourists arriving in Langkawi.

       “There will only be one sea route when the island re-opens to tourists on Malaysia Day (Sept 16).

       “Hopefully, the Kuala Perlis ferry terminal can cope with the influx of visitors,” he added.

       Langkawi Tourism Industry Organisation president Ahmad Phisol Ishak said with Covid-19 cases still high in the Kedah mainland and on Langkawi island, the authorities should issue a more stringent SOP to protect tourists and islanders.

       He said Perlis had also shown an increasing number of cases.

       “While it is true that Langkawi’s economy depends on the tourism industry, the health and safety of the people are important.

       “Perhaps, Langkawi can be opened in stages, first to Kedahans and those from neighbouring states,” he suggested.

       Kedah tourism committee chairman Mohd Firdaus Ahmad said the reopening of Langkawi would not be affected much as holidaymakers could still opt to fly in or come via the Kuala Perlis ferry terminal.

       Kangar OCPD Supt Wari Kiew said police would work closely with the Marine Department to ensure SOP compliance at the Kuala Perlis ferry terminal.

       He said additional manpower would be placed there should the need arise, depending on sales of ferry tickets.