BRUNEI-MUARA

THE public are invited to see and ride the Shuttle Hope ferry at the Serasa Ferry Terminal today as the Ports Department holds an “Open Day”.

The Ports Department’s Open Day was launched by its director, Pg Hj Mohd Zain Pg Hj Abd Razak yesterday.

The public will be able to see an exhibition of ship replicas that dock at the Muara Port.

There will also be free health screening services, a blood donation campaign and a chance to see the cruise ship Sapphire Princess anchored at the port.

Assistant Director of Ports Mohd Fazilah Hj Mohd Yassin, in his opening remarks, said the public could also go for brief voyage aboard the Shuttle Hope ferry.

Mohd Fazilah said it organised the open day so the people could know more about the Ports Department and its services.

“This Open Day represents the Ports Department’s desire to promote the Serasa Ferry Terminal which provides ferry services to Labuan,” he said.

“It should also be an opportunity for the public to know the current schedules, services and facilities provided.”

The Open Day would also give the public information on the Muara Port, which the department dubbed as the most developed port in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) sub-region.

Meanwhile, the assistant director of Ports said being second nature and near to sea, the department realised the importance of taking care of the environment.

Director of Ports Pg Hj Mohd Zain and invited village leaders from the area planted a few tree saplings as part of the department’s Green Port Initiative to support the environment.

The department in a statement said the Muara Port was first used for commercial purposes in 1973 and managed by the Royal Customs and Excise Department.

Now it is responsible for providing and operating port services and facilities in building a customer-oriented service industry.

The Brunei Times