THE Transport Ministry has been given a month to submit a report on the direction and mechanism for motorcycle ride-hailing services to the cabinet, said its minister Anthony Loke.

He said although the cabinet yesterday had agreed in principle to the proposed service, the ministry needs to look at the overall aspects to make the service successful including looking at the models’ implemented in other countries.

“The cabinet instructed the ministry to prepare and review the legal framework on how the service can be implemented. So, it does not mean we can provide the service immediately, and this approval is not for Go-Jek, but approval for motorcycle ride-hailing.

“So, once the framework is in place, and the approach is finalised, then we will open it up for registration and any company can come in. This is what I want to explain,” he told reporters after launching the Fly the Jalur Gemilang programme at the Seremban parliamentary constituency-level today.

Yesterday, Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Yusof announced that the cabinet had decided that a study of the legal aspects of the move be made first before it could be implemented. 

Commenting further, Loke also dismissed reports that the government had already approved Go-Jek’s services to implemented in the country and also stressed the Go-Jek company has not submitted any application.

“Go-Jek has not submitted any application yet. They just came to give a suggestion to the government and held a meeting with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad several days ago,” he said.

Loke said the ministry will take into account all aspects including legal, insurance and passenger safety when preparing the mechanism report on the motorcycle ride-hailing service.

“Safety is our top priority. We understand that many ministers support this effort based on the benefits it can generate for economic growth for micro-enterprises, small and medium enterprises, and e-commerce.

“But, what the ministry sees is about safety. We must ensure public safety before we can implement this service,” he said.

Loke, who is also Seremban MP, said motorcycle ride-hailing service is seen as complementary to the land public transport system, and stressed that the service would not replace other land public transport services. – Bernama, August 22, 2019.