Rahimah Majid…Banggi Island is one of Sabah’s poorest districts. Residents depend on the ferry service for essential travel. Raising fares is unacceptable and places an additional burden on an already struggling community.
KOTA KINABALU : – Bersatu Sabah is calling on both the federal and state governments to take immediate action against the recent ferry fare hike for the Kudat-Banggi Island route, which took effect on 1 February.
“The increase in ferry fares for the Kudat-Banggi route has serious consequences for the local population. Banggi is already grappling with economic hardship, and the higher transportation costs add another layer of financial burden,” she said.
Bersatu Sabah Women Chief Rahimah Majid criticized the abrupt and unilateral decision by the sole ferry operator, warning of its severe impact on Banggi Island residents.
“Banggi Island is a sub-district of Kudat, one of Sabah’s poorest districts. Many residents depend on this ferry service for essential travel. Raising fares without public consultation is unacceptable and places an additional burden on an already struggling community,” she said.
It has been reliably learned that, as of 1 February, fares across all classes increased by RM3. The new rates are RM34 for VIP Class, RM29 for Second Class, and RM26 for Economy Class.
*Impact on the Banggi Community*
Rahimah highlighted that the fare hike will disproportionately affect low-income families, students, and small businesses.
“Banggi residents are already facing economic hardship. This increase will further strain their finances, making daily necessities, transportation, and access to essential services even more expensive,” she stressed.
The fare increase was announced by ferry operators recently, citing the implementation of the mandatory minimum wage of RM1,700 from 1 February, along with rising prices of spare parts and engine maintenance costs as primary reasons for the adjustment.
Rahimah criticized the decision, noting the lack of public consultation and its disproportionate impact on low-income families who depend on the ferry service for transporting goods and accessing essential services.
“Many Banggi residents travel frequently to Kudat for medical treatment at the government hospital. The increased fares make it even more challenging for them to access necessary healthcare. Additionally, they often travel to Kudat to deal with government agencies such as the National Registration Department (NRD), the Education Department, and the State Islamic Affairs Department (JHEAINS),” Rahimah highlighted.
She further pointed out that since most essential goods—such as food, fuel, and medicine—are transported from Kudat, the fare hike will inevitably lead to higher prices on Banggi Island.
“Increasing transport costs will raise business expenses and the overall cost of living, making life even more difficult for the people of Banggi,” she added.
She warned that higher operating costs could deter investment and economic growth, further entrenching poverty in Pulau Banggi.
Addressing this issue, Rahimah emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach involving government authorities, ferry operators, and the local community.
*Call for Government Intervention*
Rahimah urged both the federal and state governments to act immediately to address the issue.
Firstly, she proposed that the *federal government* provide a 50% fare subsidy for Banggi residents, complementing any measures the federal government takes to ease the ferry operator’s financial burden.
“If the government can provide a 50% subsidy for the Labuan ferry service, there’s no reason not to extend similar support to the people of Pulau Banggi, who are equally, if not more, deserving,” she argued.
Secondly, She called on the federal government to include the Kudat-Banggi ferry service in its fuel subsidy scheme to reduce operating costs and stabilize fares.
Rahimah pointed out that the Ministry of Transport (MOT) recently received approval from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) for diesel subsidies for ferry and passenger boat operators on strategic routes in Penang, Labuan, Langkawi, Pangkor, Tioman, Redang, and Pulau Ketam.
“Ferry services are a lifeline for the Banggi community. Why is Pulau Banggi excluded from this subsidy scheme?
The Kudat-Banggi route is a vital link for a marginalized community, and it must be included in this subsidy program,” she asserted.
“The state government should also introduce ferry fare discounts for students and senior citizens, ensuring that essential travel remains affordable,” she suggested.
Additionally, Rahimah urged the state government to consider opening the Kudat-Banggi route to additional ferry operators to encourage competition, which could improve services and lower fares.
Furthermore, Rahimah also proposed a transformative initiative to the state government for the establishment of a community-based ferry service operated through community cooperative. By establishing a community-based ferry service that will be owned and managed by the local community, fostering a strong sense of ownership, accountability and self-reliance.
Beyond subsidies, she urged the Ministry of Transport to enforce stricter regulations on fare adjustments to ensure they are justified based on actual operating costs rather than excessive profiteering.
“The ferry operator must also improve service quality and upgrade facilities to enhance passenger safety and satisfaction,” she added.
Rahimah lamented that the Banggi community has been long neglected and marginalized, suffering from inadequate infrastructure, underdeveloped healthcare, and limited educational opportunities compared to mainland areas.
She warned that the fare increase would only exacerbate these disparities.
She also called for long-term, sustainable solutions to help ferry operators manage rising maintenance costs without passing the burden onto passengers.
*Bersatu Sabah to Launch Petition*
To push for immediate government action, Rahimah announced that Bersatu Sabah will launch a petition on Saturday, 8 February, urging intervention from both federal and state authorities.
“We call on the Banggi community to support this petition and demand urgent action. More details will be announced soon,” she said.
