SOME 200 taxi drivers gathered in the compound of the old State Legislative Assembly building in Petra Jaya, Kuching, today to submit a memorandum protesting against the “unfair” competition posed by Uber and GrabCar.

Group spokesman Abdul Rahman Ahmad said the memorandum was addressed to Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg, and called for “fair and healthy” competition so that taxi drivers’ livelihoods were not affected by ride-sharing services.

“There are many things that are unfair. Taxi drivers are subjected to various conditions and charges when picking up passengers, while GrabCar and Uber drivers are given a lot of flexibility,” said Rahman, who is also Kuching Bumiputera Taxi Association vice-president.

He said the memorandum was handed over to the chief minister’s private secretary, Ahmad Hazlan Ismawi.

The group’s protest impacted taxi service at Kuching International Airport (KIA) as the drivers refused to pick up passengers, but they agreed to resume service at 6pm.

Rahman said a dialogue session was expected to be held between the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board, KIA management and taxi drivers on Friday.

KIA senior manager Mohd Nidzam Hashim, in a statement issued by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd today, said airport operations and flight schedules were not affected by today’s incident, and passengers could seek assistance from airport staff should they need information on alternative modes of transport. – Bernama, January 8, 2018.