FOR the sake of nostalgia, a group of 15 artists from the Persatuan Anak Seni Utara (Pasu) boarded a Penang ferry for about two hours today to paint pictures of the iconic vehicle.
As they put their finishing touches to their drawings, perhaps deep in their heart they know that the iconic ferry will one day likely be no more in operation between Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth and Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda in Penang island.
The ferries plying the route are considered a heritage to Penang since their service began 126 years ago.
There was a time when there were as many as 13 ferries available to criss cross the channel on a 24-hour service and passengers had only to wait for seven minutes to board one. If past midnight, the ferry service would be on an hourly basis.
But today, only two ferries, which are 47 years old, remain in operation.
Pasu president Ahmad Zaini Zainul Abidin said his association members from Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Penang decided a week ago to organise the painting session on board the ferry so that the iconic ferry “would not be forgotten” by future generations.
“The ferry is synonymous with Penang. It will be heart-breaking to see it disappear. We’re not against modernisation to have the fast ferries but we hope we can have the slow and fast ferries,” Ahmad Zaini said.
The ferry holds special memories for him. Born in Sungai Pinang in Penang island, Ahmad Zaini said he used to catch the ferry to Butterworth when he went back to his family home in Sungai Nyiur in Butterworth in his youth.
He said even sadder still was Pasu secretary Hizal Hashim, whose late father was a captain of the Penang ferry for 20 years.
The oldest of the multi-racial artists is 71-year-old Osman Saaidin while the youngest is 14-year-old Neevindrran Narendran.
The others are Masyitah Ismail, Shobeetha Rajandiran, Anuar Ahmad, Rosani Hussain, Siti Salbiah Mohd Shukor, Nur Iffah Muhd Zulfadli, Osman Saaidin, Mohd Yusoff Sahab, Azmi Saad, Aslinda Ahmad, Noorlida Selamat, Tan Jun Wei and Muhd Iskandar Mohd Zambri.
Armed with the art paraphernalia, the artists boarded the ferry at 10am and spent about two hours to complete their respective works. This meant they remained in the ferry as they travelled to and fro from Butterworth to Penang island (George Town) twice.
Other passengers, like pedestrians, motorcyclists and motorists who were also on board, were taken by surprise by the artists’ presence.
The artists used their creativity to paint on various mediums, including on stones and canvas shoes.
“Due to time constraints, our artists have been told to sketch their work at home and only apply the finishing touches to them on board the ferry.
“We want to record the image of the ferry and pass it on so that this precious property of Penang will not be forgotten.
“This ferry service strengthens the relationship between the people of the island and beyond as well as being a catalyst for economic development.
“After we have finished these paintings, we plan to show them in future so that everyone can remember what the ferry looks like,” explained Ahmad Zaini.
He said the unique design of the Penang ferry has always been the subject of focus in a work of art or photography.
He added that despite rapid development of leading cities such as Hong Kong and Toronto, their original ferry services continue as an alternative transportation service, even becoming a tourist attraction.
“Why should we end this heritage when the Penang ferry has a lot of sweet memories for many and is an attraction for local and foreign tourists?” asked Ahmad Zaini.
The Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), which will take over the running of the Penang ferry service from Prasarana from Jan 1, 2021, will provide ferry services carrying only motorcycles and bicycles but not four-wheeled vehicles.
The ferry service operation for motorcycles and bicycles is between Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth to Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda on the island from Jan 1 next year.
According to a recent PPSB statement, PPSB will also provide a ferry service for pedestrians by using fast ferry boats from Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim to the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal on the island from Jan 1 next year.
PPSB also said the use of fast ferry boats and the existing ferries was an interim measure before the introduction of the new ferries, namely “water buses” and “vehicle transporters” on July 1, 2022 or earlier.
PPSB has also announced that it will provide two weeks of free ferry services to foot passengers from Jan 1 to 14, 2021.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Eng Kok Wei and courtesy of Pasu