Dr Mahathir threatens to quit if he is not wanted

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 21 Oct 2018 12:05PM · 10 Comments

Dr Mahathir Mohamad (centre) says he has come out of retirement at the behest of the people, and he has no problem resigning if he is not wanted. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, October 21, 2018.

AN angry Dr Mahathir Mohamad today offered to resign as prime minister after a group of taxi drivers refused to accept his explanation on what Putrajaya was doing to help them survive  competition from e-hailing services such as Grab, say news reports.

Dr Mahathir said he had come out of retirement because many had beseeched him to return and revive the country.

“I want to help. But if you don’t want to believe…” he said.

 “I don’t want to be prime minister. I have retired… people called me back so I returned

“But if all of you don’t want me to be prime minister, I will quit. It’s not a problem for me,“ he was quoted as saying during a dialogue with Langkawi taxi drivers today.

Earlier, a group of 10 taxi drivers had shouted at Dr Mahathir before walking out of the hall while Dr Mahathir was explaining to the drivers the measures being put in place by Putrajaya to level the playing field for them.

The dialogue was attended by 200 drivers, who claim e-hailing firm Grab has taken away their livelihood.

Earlier, Dr Mahathir had said Grab would be required to use vehicles approved by the government as well as pay insurance and taxes, just like the taxis, in a bid to ensure fair competition.

“I have brought this up in cabinet. I told the minister (of transport) to fix it but, unfortunately, there has been no progress,” he reportedly said.

Dr Mahathir said he, too, felt it was unfair, but he did not say whether the e-hailing service would be shut down.

He said Putrajaya could put in place laws that would make the industry a level playing field for taxi drivers and those in the e-hailing service sector.

Taxi associations had previously demanded that the government ban e-hailing services like Grab. – October 21, 2018. 

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Comments

  • This bloody taxi drivers

    Posted 7 years ago by SY L · Reply

  • Tun...ignore the selfish taxi drivers...more of the public will benefit from the e hailing service as compared to a few taxi ''thieves''..

    Posted 7 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • Previously taxi drivers use to cheat on meters over charge customer n take long routes to reach destinations that are near . When GRAB come in charge reasonable affordable RATE Taxi Driver FUELLED TAXI GILA GRAB BAGUS

    Posted 7 years ago by Tharan Singh · Reply

  • Shouldnt stop e-hailing service. You cant stopped the changes as a result of digitisation. Taxiss will not experience completion or be equally as competitive if they provide the service level but we all know the majority of the services provided by taxis are just appalling

    Posted 7 years ago by Francis Chang · Reply

  • Tun, don't be too harsh on yourself.How are you going to retire based on this minor incident? You can never satisfy all parties.Go back to drawing board and get Anthony to come up with concrete explanation whether to maintain, ban or overhaul the whole system.We rakyat number millions are behind you. Please don't get upset over these few kurang ajar taxi drivers.

    Posted 7 years ago by Jacob Hong · Reply

  • Mahathir gets a taste of the abuse other taxi users face on a regular basis...
    Now, how I wish the govt would also turn its attention to the Mat Rempits

    Posted 7 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • The taxi driver have to look in the mirror why ppl resort to Grab. Its because of their poor service and constant attempts to cheat.
    In Japan both Uber n Grab cannot succeed because ppl prefer taxi due to their courtesy n honestly.
    Malaysia taxi got to change their attitude not only to protest and show disrespect to our PM.

    Posted 7 years ago by Adrian Tan · Reply

  • The more noise taxi drivers made, the more consumer will opt for ride hauling service. They need to ask themselves why people are not choosing them instead of asking government to ban ride hailing service.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Yih Ven · Reply

  • E-hailing is the way to go for future taxi booking service. There are many benefits to both the drivers and riders. Government should help the taxi drivers to switch to this platform. Grab can help too. Stopping Grab will be too much an injustice to many people.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Old taxi should not ferry passengers..moreover...obsolete old system...e-hailing is the future of public transport.

    Posted 7 years ago by Will Be Humble · Reply