Putrajaya’s requirements for Grab won’t help cabbies, says coalition

PETALING JAYA: A coalition of over 100 taxi associations nationwide has poured cold water on Putrajaya’s requirements for Grab drivers, including imposing the same licensing requirements as traditional taxis.

Gabungan Teksi Se’Malaysia said other prerequisites, including using only government-approved vehicles and for drivers of e-hailing services to be taxed, will not create a level playing field with the taxi industry.

“If these matters are not viewed seriously, it will not resolve the problems faced by taxi drivers,” the coalition’s head, Kamaruddin Hussain, said in a statement.

He was responding to the requirements listed by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad earlier today at a dialogue in Langkawi.

Mahathir also said he raised the matter up with the Cabinet.

“I told the minister (of transport) to fix it but, unfortunately, there has been no progress,” the New Straits Times quoted him as saying.

To this, Kamaruddin said Mahathir should rectify the matter and not respond in such a way.

“I hope Tun Dr Mahathir does not leave it to the transport minister,” he said, adding that the transport ministry was merely continuing the practices put in place by the Barisan Nasional administration in dealing with the likes of Grab.

He also called for a meeting between the coalition and the transport ministry, chaired by the prime minister himself, to resolve the matter.

Source: FMT