A NEW pontoon has been put in place in Port Klang and begun operations on Tuesday. This solves the jetty problem for the 10,000 Pulau Ketam and Sungai Lima residents who travel to the mainland on a daily basis.
During the opening ceremony, Kapar MCA division chief Datuk Song Kee Chai said it was a meaningful day for the residents who had been waiting for almost two years to see the end of this problem.
“I represent the residents of both islands to express their gratitude, especially to the Transport Ministry and Port Klang Authority (PKA) for granting residents’ wish to have this jetty,” he said.
He added that the residents had put in a lot of work over the past two years to get a new jetty, and their efforts had paid off.
First to try: The first ferry from Pulau Ketam docks after the opening ceremony of the new pontoon.
Pulau Ketam Village Security and Development Committee chairman Chia Mong Chun said that he was glad to see the completion of the new pontoon.
“I thank Datuk Song Kee Chai and all the parties that have been helpful in solving the plight of the residents,” said Chia.
He added that previously it had also been difficult for the residents, who were mostly fishermen and ferry operators, to dock at the old jetty as there was only one pontoon.
During the launch of the pontoon, PKA chairman Datuk Dr Teh Kim Poo announced that dredging works to deepen the waters near the jetty had been ongoing since last week.
“There is an area nearby which becomes too shallow at low tide, which will cause problems to some boats.
“Therefore, PKA is deepening this area to eliminate the problem,” Teh explained.