FERRY SERVICE FACILITIES FOR ISLANDERS

Inche Ahmad Jabri Bin Mohamad Akib asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of difficulty experienced by residents of St. John's Island and Pulau Sakijang Pelepah in travelling to and from Singapore, and what steps he has taken or will take to improve the ferry service facilities between those Islands and Singapore.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Goh Chew Chua) (for the Deputy Prime Minister): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked by the Deputy Prime Minister to reply to this question.

There is a regular ferry service between St. John's Island and Singapore. Marine Department launches leave St. John's at 6 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 2.30 p.m. and 7.15 p.m., and from the Master Attendant's Pier at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6.45 p.m., all on week-days only. This service is primarily for school children and Government staff working on St. John's Island. However, islanders from both islands, St. John's and Pulau Sakijang Pelepah, also have the benefit of this free service provided the passenger capacity is not exceeded - which is rarely the case except on festive occasions. If the capacity is exceeded, the islanders will have to make alternative arrangements or use their own boats.

A new proposal now under consideration by the Marine Department is for the early introduction of a commercial service along the same lines as the private service operating between Changi and Pulau Tekong Besar. The new service will be according to a fixed schedule, at rates yet to be decided.