PENANG FERRY MUSEUM ADDS NEW DIMENSION TO TRANSPORT SECTOR - LOKE 

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- The establishment of the Penang Ferry Museum introduces a new dimension to the nation’s transport sector by positioning the preservation of transport heritage as part of the national development agenda, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.

He said for the Transport Ministry (MoT), the initiative is in line with efforts to strengthen the documentation of the nation’s transport history, foster public awareness of the evolution of transport systems, and position transport heritage as a source of education and knowledge.

Loke said in line with the Malaysia MADANI aspirations, national development must be pursued in a holistic manner that encompasses physical, economic, social and value-based dimensions.

He said in the context of transport, this entails continuing to modernise public transport systems, enhancing safety standards and operational efficiency, while preserving the legacy that has shaped the nation’s development.

“The Penang Ferry Museum reflects this balanced approach, where the past is respected, the present is strengthened and the future is planned with prudence.

“I believe the museum will become an important place for younger generations to understand that the progress we enjoy today is the result of the efforts and sacrifices of previous generations,” he said at the official opening of the ferry museum here today.

Also present were Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, MoT secretary-general Datuk Seri M. Jana Santhiran and Penang Port Commission general manager Datuk V. Vijayaindiaran.

Loke said he was informed that the Penang Ferry Museum features nine main exhibition zones arranged in stages, allowing visitors to follow the journey of Penang’s ferry services in a comprehensive manner.

He said the exhibitions, documentation and immersive experiences will help visitors understand that the transport sector is the backbone of national development and public well-being, in line with the Federal Government’s aim of nurturing a generation that values history while being prepared to lead the future.

Meanwhile, Yeoh said the ferry museum is a manifestation of PPC’s commitment to preserving the state’s maritime heritage, particularly the legacy of ferry services that have been the backbone of public mobility in Penang for more than a century.

“During its trial operation period, the museum recorded nearly 13,000 visitors from within and outside the country. Based on these statistics, the museum has the potential to serve as a high-impact tourism product and support local economic development in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 aspirations,” he said.

The Penang Ferry Museum at Weld Quay here was officially opened on Sept 16 last year. Restoration works on the ferry began in early 2022 and took more than two years to complete at a cost of RM10 million.

The museum, housed on the original ferry measuring 56 metres in length and 12 metres in width with a total area of 557.41 square metres, offers an interactive experience across all four decks, including the engine room and captain’s cabin.

It is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm and can accommodate up to 150 visitors at any one time.

-- BERNAMA