Serasa Ferry Terminal Needs A Facelift
By Zasika Musdi

Bandar Seri Begawan - If you believe in the old saying ‘The First Impression is the Best Impression', then ruminate this: what would your initial thoughts be when you arrive in Brunei Darussalam - the rich oil and gas country you've heard so much about from your fellow wanderlust friends - for the very first time, through the Serasa Ferry Terminal?

Indeed, you would think, "Is this it?"

Not only is there no duty free shops, there are no shops. Period. What if you forgot to get some souvenirs for the folks back home in Bandar Seri Begawan? Well, tough luck. You'd have to pretend that you ever really did visit Brunei Darussalam, if the pictures you've taken do not suffice.

Two years ago, it was unveiled that the `new Serasa Ferry Terminal will open its new gateway for travellers linking services from Brunei Darussalam to the neighbouring state of Labuan and the Menumbok district in Sabah'. You'd expect `new' to come in line with `bigger', `better', and `more', but this is not the ease.

Once you arrive at the Serasa ferry terminal, the first thing that greets you is a massive gate with a warning sip prohibiting the trafficking and importation of controlled drugs, with death being its penalty. Avery warm welcome indeed! Whatever happened to "Welcome to Brunei Darussalam - the Kingdom of Unexpected Treasures"?

Furthermore, if you happen to arrive on a rainy day, your luggage and yourself will be wet to the bone for the platform from the ferry to the ferry terminal is only half roofed. A great first impression, might I add!

After going through the necessary checks, you can't help but ask yourself: "Now what?" There are no duty free stores outside the arrival hall (just a really big gate). However, if you do notice an obscure sign that says 'Kantin' (translated to `Canteen' underneath in smaller letters) leading to a mysterious corner, chances are, you're probably too eager to go straight into the city to want to check it out. Reliable taxi service, anyone?

On the other hand, the experience is diametrical in Labuan, an island with a population of about 85,000 people located about an-hour-and-a-half away by ferry in the South China Sea.

First and foremost, when you compare the infrastructure between Serasa's Ferry Terminal and Labuan's International Ferry Terminal, you will notice a number of palpable differences, an obvious one being the size: Labuan's ferry terminal is twice the size of Brunei's, and it fully utilises its magnitude.

As you walk from the ferry to the ferry terminal underneath the fully-roofed platform, you will also notice a number of banners welcoming you to Labuan, complete with a-picture of the immigration staff smiling warmly at the bottom of each banner.

Your presence is definitely appreciated there!

Once you successfully pass through immigration into the arrival hall, you'll notice the streets outside bursting with life; shops are everywhere, and there are even a couple of duty free shops right outside the exit. Above one of them is an electrical signboard, detailing the time, ferry name, origin, destination, time of departure and status.

As you leave the ferry terminal, you'll see a giant signboard with pictures of Labuan's tourist hotspots and political leaders warmly welcoming you and wishing you an enjoyable stay. Judging from first impressions, you definitely will!

The question that needs to be asked is: if a small island such as Labuan, with a total area of only 92 sq km, is able to make their visitors feel at home, why can't Brunei Darussalam? -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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