Meet us or face protest, cabbies tell Loke

Christopher Rabin Christopher Rabin Updated 5 years ago · Published on 8 Nov 2018 4:00PM · 6 Comments

Big Blue Taxi Facilities's Shamsubahrin Ismail says the transport minister should not avoid the taxi drivers, speaks after handing a memorandum to the Transport Ministry in Putrajaya, today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, November 8, 2018.

TWO taxi drivers’ groups want a meeting with Transport Minister Anthony Loke within two weeks or they will stage a demonstration in Putrajaya over e-hailing services

Malaysian Taxi Union and Big Blue Taxi Services gave Loke the ultimatum today as they sought resolution to their concerns over ride-sharing fares and commissions.

“We asked for a date within the next two weeks to have a formal discussion with Minister of Transport Anthony Loke, otherwise, we will have an assembly here.” GTSM president Kamarudin Hussain told reporters after a protest followed by a dialogue with ministry officials in Putrajaya today.

He said cabbies want greater equalisation between taxi drivers and e-hailing services even though Putrajaya had in July moved to regulate the latter.

The government is also trying to get more taxi drivers assimilated in e-hailing services.

“We don’t believe taxi drivers who assimilate into e-hailing have still to be bound by their permits, and we ask that the MoT freezes the registration of new drivers in e-hailing companies,” Kamarudin said.

The two groups wished to work with the ministry on the legal framework governing taxi and e-hailing services, he said.

“We believe all ride services, whether , regardless wbeing taxis or regular cars, that be governed by one fair and equal law.”

Big Blue Taxi Services adviser Shamsubahrin Ismail said Loke should not avoid meeting the groups.

He said he emailed the ministry on November 5 but was told that to use the proper channels.

The minister’s political secretary, Dahlan Maamor, said the groups should not resort to threats and that the ministry was not obliged to reschedule Loke’s prior appointments just to accommodate them.

“The ministry is open to meeting them, but they cannot threaten an assembly if a meeting is not set up  within two weeks. Especially when they just sent the email three days ago. We are not obliged to change the minister’s schedule, as even now, minister Loke is in Bangkok,” Dahlan said. – November 8, 2018.

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Comments

  • Based on their behaviour these pseudo taxi drivers are gangsters and thugs. They must realise they don't have UMNO to protect their unfair practices anymore.

    Posted 5 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • Really feel very tired of this kind of attitude.

    Posted 5 years ago by Sulu Injau · Reply

  • Just tell them to go ahead! Talking and behaving like gangsters.

    Posted 5 years ago by Jordan Lee · Reply

  • Let's have more new players in e-hailing services. We do not need Taxis.

    Ask the people around you, how many people still take taxi?

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Why should it be on the same terms as e-hailing when taxis are substandard. E-hailing is the solution for these useless taxis. Taxis are rude, dirty, uncomfortable, unreliable, unsafe, constantly rejects passengers, cheat tourists and even locals and so much more. They are also a nuisance on the road and are hazardous to other cars and traffic. They stop anywhere and anytime they want, regardless if they are obstructing traffic.

    Posted 5 years ago by Mo Hisham · Reply

  • Just revoke their permits. The general public will be very happy to hear that. There are millions of voters versus a few thousand of them. Let's see whose voice is louder. These parasites and thugs don't deserve it!

    Posted 5 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply