SEMPORNA, Nov 15 — Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Sabah could set up a ferry service to shuttle islanders between the mainland of Semporna and Pulau Bum-Bum.

He said that a ferry service will be "seriously considered” while waiting for the proposed Pulau Bum-Bum bridge to materialise.

"I will talk to the JKR (Public Works Department) and EPU (Economic Planning Unit) to see if we can start a ferry service to cater to the folks in Pulau Bum-Bum,” he said.

He said the service would be beneficial to the people while they wait for a decision on the bridge proposal, which has been in the offing for a long time.

"This time around, I will take up the matter to the federal government.

"If GRS-BN candidates win the elections here, I will personally take up the application to the federal government,” he said at the meet-the-people session at the Grand Wing Tat hotel here today.

Hajiji was stumping for GRS candidate for Semporna Nixon Abdul Hadi and BN candidate forthe Bugaya state seat, Abdul Aziz Ibnu.

He also attempted to dissuade voters from long-time Semporna MP Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

"We must not be satisfied with the same old but look forward to a brighter future. We must sempurnakan (perfect) Semporna,” he said.

He said that they will look to resolving "infrastructure issues” in Kampung Simunul and Kampung Bangau-Bangau.

Shafie, who has held the Semporna seat since 1995, is expected to retain the seat in a four-cornered fight against BN candidate Nixon, Arastam Pandorog of Pakatan Harapan and Ab Rajik@Ab Ra Rajak Ab Hamid of Pejuang.