KUALA LUMPUR: Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim proposed for the Feri Malaysia service, connecting Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia, to be revived.
"I hope that the government can reassess the possibility of reviving the Feri Malaysia service, which could potentially connect Kuching and Johor Baru, as well as Kuching and Kuala Lumpur as its pilot service.
"Later, it can then be expanded to other routes. For now, Kuching- Kota Kinabalu, we can use the Trans Borneo Highway," he said when debating the 2024 Royal Address in Dewan Negara on Monday.
Ahmad said Feri Malaysia can be an alternative to air travel and promote the beauty of Malaysia through the use of the ferry.
"It is time for the government to call upon private operators to work together to revive Feri Malaysia."
Last year, Transport Minister Anthony Loke told the Dewan Rakyat that the government had no plans to revive Feri Malaysia.
Feri Malaysia was operational from 1986 to 1989, connecting Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Kuantan through a two-day journey.
The vessel had a capacity of 650 and could carry passenger vehicles.
Unfortunately, an engine fire occurred on Oct 18, 1987, near Tioman Island in Pahang, causing Feri Malaysia to officially cease operations two years later.