THE Malaysia e-Hailing Drivers Association (Mehda) today expressed its concern about the government’s decision to set the medical examination fee for new public service vehicle (PSV) licence applications or renewals at RM80.

Mehda president Daryl Chong said the government’s move to set a standard price was an unpopular and unnecessary move, because there were clinics charging much lower prices.

“In a bid to help our members nationwide, Mehda approached many clinics from May 2019, requesting them to charge only RM20 for the medical examination,” he said in a press statement.

There are currently 135 panel clinics nationwide that have agreed to conduct the half-hour medical examinations for Mehda members at a charge of RM20 per person, Chong added, explaining that the clinics were not making any profit and were instead offering this service as a gesture of social responsibility.

According to Chong, on August 20, the Road Transport Department issued a circular to the Health Ministry and Malaysian Medical Association on the new ruling, which included revised guidelines and charges.

Acknowledging that the government’s aim was probably to prevent situations of overcharging, he said the imposition of this standard rate would instead serve to burden drivers financially. – Bernama, September 27, 2019.