ALMOST a week since the child restraint system (CRS) for private vehicles was enforced on January 1, there seems to be confusion among e-hailing drivers on whether the rule applies to them.

The Malaysia E-Hailing Drivers’ Association (MeHDA) said in a Facebook post that according to Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), the CRS is not compulsory for e-hailing vehicles.

It is understood that the ruling only applies to private vehicles at this point.

“There is no clear announcement. We are just worried that all of a sudden we might be asked to install. If it is RM50, it is okay. But this is RM200-300,” said a Grab driver who only wanted to be known as Sha.

The driver also said it is also a matter of getting a return of investment.

“We do not know how often we will get passengers with kids that require car seats,” he said.

Similarly, another e-hailing driver who did not want to be named said he too was unsure if drivers are required to prepare CRS or if children below the height of 135cm could board e-hailing vehicles as usual.

“We own our cars, does that fall under the category of private vehicle?” he said.

Meanwhile, Grab said in response to an inquiry that at this point drivers will have to prepare the seat for passengers with babies.

“For now, the driver is required to prepare a child seat for passengers with babies. However, we are still waiting for discussions with authorities on this matter and will announce the relevant in the near future. Thank you for your concern,” the Tweet read.

The Malaysian Insight is still waiting for the Transport Ministry’s response.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on December 20 that the requirement is for private vehicles only.

Loke also said no summonses will be issued to those who do not comply with the mandatory ruling for the first six months after the ruling comes into force. – January 5, 2020.