A group representing 300 taxi companies throughout Malaysia, Kesepakatan Persatuan Teksi Se-Malaysia submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office today.
Zailani Isa Usuludin, who represented the group, claimed that ride-sharing platforms like Uber and Grab are illegal under Section 16 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010, which prohibits anyone from operating or providing a public service vehicle using a class of public service vehicle without a valid PSV license.
“We, the taxi drivers, urge the government to take this issue seriously, as the presence of Uber and Grab drivers has greatly affected the income of about 77,000 taxi drivers nationwide. Passengers now have opted for Uber and Grab because they claim the services are cheaper. However, such services are against the law and the government should not allow them to operate the business,” he told reporters present at the memorandum handover.
Putrajaya and Selangor Visionary Taxi Drivers Association chairman Saari Omar claimed that some taxi drivers in the Klang Valley lost some 65% of their income due to the availability of ride-sharing platforms. He further added that Uber and Grab drivers are operating illegally as they do not posses a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) license.
“In addition to that, they are not paying tax to the government. Some Uber and Grab drivers also fail to wear appropriate attire. Taxi drivers would be penalised if we were caught not wearing proper uniform,” he claimed.
In August, the Government has give SPAD the greenlight to regulate both Uber and Grab.
Via: NST
