GEORGE TOWN, Sept 2 — Authorities have ordered the formation of a special task force to investigate last night’s collision between the Teluk Bahang Ferry and cargo vessel MV Mekar Jaya in Penang Port waters.
Penang Port Commission (PPC) Chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said the task force would investigate the cause of the incident and determine the circumstances surrounding the collision.
“I immediately instructed the PPC and ferry operator Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) to set up a special task force to thoroughly probe the cause of the accident in an objective, transparent and professional manner, establish the facts, and report fully to the public,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Yeoh said relevant parties have also been instructed to gather information and assist with compensation matters.
He said he went to the ferry terminal in Butterworth shortly after the collision to assess the situation and be briefed before visiting the injured at the hospital.
Yeoh said the operator had also been instructed to review its operational procedures and safety mechanisms, with further action to be taken based on the investigation findings.
“We will not avoid any issues and will take the necessary follow-up action and improve measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” he said.
He said the PPC would continue to work closely with PPSB and relevant parties to implement all follow-up measures, while ensuring ferry services continue to operate as usual.
Meanwhile, Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, when contacted, said none of the victims had been admitted to hospital.
He said 21 people were reported injured, and eleven of them were taken by ambulance to Seberang Jaya Hospital.
Ten others with minor injuries initially said they would make their own way there, but only seven eventually turned up at the hospital later.
Gooi said the 18 injured were given outpatient treatment at the hospital’s Emergency Department, adding that no other victims had sought treatment at other government health facilities so far.
The collision occurred at 8.40 pm yesterday when the Teluk Bahang Ferry, which was heading towards the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal, collided with MV Mekar Jaya within Penang Port limits.
MV Mekar Jaya was reported to be travelling from the Butterworth Deep Water Wharves to the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal.
Meanwhile, the Penang state government is awaiting a full report on the collision.
State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the state government has only received a preliminary report on the incident so far.
“I have been informed that they are conducting a full investigation into the cause of the accident. We (the state government) are awaiting the detailed report on the incident,” he told Bernama today. — Bernama
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