The Teluk Bahang ferry collided with the vessel MV Mekar Jaya near the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal within Penang Port limits at about 8:40pm on September 1, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The MV Mekar Jaya was traveling from Butterworth Deep Water Wharves to Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, while the ferry was heading towards the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].

About 92 people were involved in the incident, including ferry passengers and crew [1, 5]. Twenty-one people were injured and taken to hospital for treatment, with none remaining at the ferry terminal [1, 2, 3, 7, 4, 5, 8, 6]. All 21 injured passengers sustained minor injuries, and none required admission to hospital wards, according to State Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi [8]. Earlier reports that six people were severely injured were contradicted by later updates reporting only minor injuries [1, 5, 6, 8]. Eleven victims were admitted via ambulance while ten others sought treatment on their own, seven of whom were subsequently treated at hospital [7, 8].

Passengers described being thrown by the impact. Aimi, 23, said, "The impact threw me backwards and I injured my leg," while Azizarah, 48, recalled, "Everything suddenly became chaotic. I was very frightened and worried that the ferry would sink." Another passenger, Suhaimi, 55, said, "I was afraid the ferry would sink, but thankfully nothing worse happened" [2, 9]. Video clips on social media showed motorcycles toppled inside the ferry after the collision [1, 5, 6].

The Penang Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 9:58pm and dispatched a team that arrived at the ferry terminal by 10:07pm [1, 10, 5, 6]. The timing of the emergency call has some conflicting reports, with one source indicating the collision occurred at 9:58pm, likely due to confusion between event and call times [1, 10, 5, 6].

The Penang Port Commission chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said, "I immediately instructed the PPC and ferry operator Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) to set up an independent investigation team to thoroughly probe the cause of the accident in an objective, transparent and professional manner, establish the facts, and report fully to the public" [7]. Ferry operations continued as usual aside from the temporary suspension of the Teluk Bahang ferry for investigation [1, 2, 3, 7, 11, 4, 8].

Penang Tourism Exco Wong Hon Wai stated, "I feel that it doesn’t (affect tourist arrival). Everyday, many ferries travel back and forth and such incidents are very rare" [11]. On September 2, the Penang Port Commission ordered the formation of the independent investigation team and the Penang Port chairman visited the injured and ferry terminal [7].

The investigation into the collision's cause is ongoing. Ferry services are expected to resume normal operations after the review is complete.