PUTRAJAYA has agreed in principle to allow motorcycle ride-hailing services, said Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Yusof.

He said the cabinet gave the go-ahead after a discussion in its weekly meeting today.

“The cabinet in principle has agreed to the Go-Jek service (being introduced).

“The Youth and Sports Ministry and the Transport Ministry have been asked to work together and discuss what laws need to be amended or created to enable this service to be (introduced) in the country,” he told the media in his office today.

He said the government would study all aspects of the service before it is introduced.

“We want to ensure that whatever we implement to develop the economy of our youth, it does not contravene the law,” said Redzuan.

Yesterday Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the cabinet would discuss the proposal to allow Indonesian e-hailing firm Go-Jek to operate in Malaysia.

“I am not against the idea in principle although I’ve said that the Ministry of Transport is not ready to introduce two-wheel e-hailing. But we are a dynamic government and we will not reject any possibilities before studying them.

“Yes, we have a concern for safety, but this is something we can look into and ensure that it is at its best,” he said.

Loke also said the government will ensure that no one company would have a monopoly over the market

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in a tweet yesterday said he hoped to bring Go-Jek to Malaysia to create jobs, especially for “Mat motor”, or young Malay motorcyclists.

He said the group needed employment opportunities instead of welfare handouts.

He also said he had met and introduced Go-Jek founder Nadiem Makarim to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Loke. – August 21, 2019.