Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng wants the Finance Ministry to clarify reports that national public infrastructure firm Prasarana Malaysia Berhad will be taking over ferry services in the state.

"When will Prasarana take over the Penang ferry service which is in need of financial stimulus to acquire new ferries and increase the presently waning frequency of trips?" asked Lim in a statement today.

"The frequency of trips has gone down from 109 per day in 2008 to only 60 per day currently," he said.

He said the ferry service can still be saved with professional management and financial stimulus, despite it bleeding RM252 million since 2002.

This was why the state government was keen to take over the assets of the ferry service, said Lim.

But he added that this was on the condition that it would not be saddled with previous debts, nor be obligated to retain the present management.

The state government had also asked for 30 licenses to operate ferries or water transport.

However, Lim said the state government's plan was shot down as the federal government insisted that the Penang Port Commission be involved in any ferry operation.

Lim said that the Transport Ministry had insisted that the ferry services be retained under the port commission.

He claimed political party MCA was currently controlling the ferry services, and alleged that it was well-versed in mass transport service.

"It is time that the issue of the control of ferry services be de-politicised and operated professionally instead," said Lim.