While the authorities are seeking to find a peaceful solution to the “ride-sharing vs taxi” saga, a group of taxi drivers are looking to the government to ban Uber and Grab services totally, and not legalise them at all.
In a report by The Malay Mail, the Klang Valley Taxi Drivers Action Committee said the government is “wrong” to make it mandatory for Uber and GrabCar drivers to obtain a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, when they have been allowed to operate freely without them. Last week, deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said the ministry is reviewing the move as a means to legalise ride-sharing services in the country.
“The government said they will review Uber, we do not want to hear that. If they are legal or illegal, say it,” said the committee’s president Zailani Isa Usuluddin. “Do not say you will give them licence, this is wrong. Do not fool us! We are directing this message to Aziz Kaprawi.”
In a related matter, the Malaysian Taxi Drivers Transformation Association (PERS1M) said that the thousands of unresolved complaints against taxi drivers is a sign that transport regulators are in over their heads to consider they can enforce the proposed PSV licensing requirements for ride-sharing services.
“If SPAD cannot act on this issue (taxi drivers disciplinary problems), how are they going to act on these Uber and GrabCar drivers should they not take the PSV licence?” said PERS1M vice president Kamaruddin Mohd Hussain. “What if Uber and GrabCar refuse to follow to this? Will SPAD (Land Public Transport Commission) take any action on them? Because I doubt that would happen.”
He also criticised the authorities for considering that the proposed licensing requirement would relieve the anger that disgruntled taxi drivers have against Uber and Grab. He added that the authorities had ignored over 33,000 applications for taxi permits, and that they should focus on the welfare of existing taxi drivers rather than the “plight” of these kereta sapu drivers.
Kamaruddin also condemned the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) for releasing the results of an online survey that revealed over 80% of public transport users preferred Uber and GrabCar to conventional taxis. “SPAD should have gone down to meet the people and not conduct an online survey. How do you know if the respondents are not planted?” he questioned.
Taxi drivers are crying foul over the operations of ride-sharing services, where they claim are competing unfairly as they are not bound by any legal requirements. The ongoing fiasco has resulted in not just legal action being taken against ride-sharing providers, but also street protests that incurred massive traffic jams in the city.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Should the authorities focus on resolving the woes of current taxi drivers before attempting to regulate ride-sharing services in the country? Or should these services be outright banned? Let us know in the comments below.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Sewel
on 
aBg_rOnGak
on 
Muniandy Periasamy
on 
WT Fuchhh
on 
squall_shinoda
on 
Black Dog
on 
ProtonGSC
on 
KT
on 
wankj
on 
Remus
on 
ikan bilis
on 
Diesel-Power!!!
on 
Wee fuk yew
on 
rewq
on 
soso
on 
STee
on 
Ash
on 
waters
on 
Hapuskan teksi di Malusial
on 
Anti Public Taxi
on 
Cheah
on 
rockybalboa
on 
LittleMin
on 
dodgeviper88
on 
Roy
on 
Imza
on 
nabill (Member)
on 
alldisc
on 
Nev
on 
azrai
on 
Karthig
on 
Ravi Kumar
on 
the driver
on 
RejimKejamGanas
on 
kzm (Member)
on 
klk
on 
Batak
on 
goonerstoner
on 
tan.poo.keon
on 
lcms
on 
BeemerFreak
on 
Cynical
on 
JB_KIA
on 
Concern Citizen
on 
Ahmadjr
on 
Deadpool
on 
tokmoh.
on 
Sarjit Singh
on 
Need to be fair
on 
crash
on 
Taxi from Calcutta
on 
Pondan
on 
Donald Tramp
on 
idaz
on 
Malaysian boyz
on 
James
on 
Anonymous
on 
Ben yap
on 
Robotcar
on 
orang biasa
on 
normal citizen
on 
Najib
on 
Alvin
on 
Dominic
on 
Paulz
on 
AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments express strong dissatisfaction with taxi drivers, citing poor service, attitude, and unfair practices like not using meters and charging high fares. Many favor ride-sharing services like Uber and Grab, viewing them as cheaper, safer, and more convenient. Some argue that the root problem lies with the permit system and taxi monopolies, advocating for deregulation or individual licenses. There are calls for better enforcement, improved service standards, and alternatives such as allowing driver cooperatives or upgrading taxi infrastructure. A few comments touch on automation and future challenges. Overall, sentiments favor banning or heavily regulating traditional taxis, with many supporting ride-sharing platforms while criticizing taxi drivers' conduct and attitude.