A peaceful gathering of hundreds of residents and NGO representatives took place at the Kuah Passenger Jetty Terminal on Sunday evening, April 19, to protest the ongoing "rationing" of ferry trips. The protest, led by Anak Muda MADANI Kedah chairman Datuk Zuraidi Rahim, called for immediate federal intervention as ferry services have been slashed from five to just three daily trips since March 25. Stakeholders warn that if this reduction continues, the island's tourism-dependent economy could face a severe collapse within the next two months. 

The rationing was implemented by Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd due to soaring industrial diesel costs, which the operator claims make maintaining a full schedule financially unviable. This has led to widespread travel disruptions, with reports of students being unable to return to the mainland and a sharp decline in tourist arrivals as travel agents struggle to secure tickets for large groups. In response to the crisis, the government is reportedly rolling out a tiered fuel surcharge starting today, April 20, aimed at stabilizing costs for operators while protecting local residents from price hikes. 

This economic pressure comes at a delicate time for the island, as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently indicated the government’s willingness to review proposals to restore Langkawi's full duty-free status to revitalize its appeal.