The Malaysian Insight

THE Transport Ministry will ensure a level playing field between taxi and e-hailing drivers, said its minister Anthony Loke.

He also urged taxi drivers who have threatened to demonstrate to be patient with the new Pakatan Harapan government.

“We understand your problems. As opposition, we often met with taxi drivers’ associations. 

“We are not sitting on it. Please don’t start this new chapter with protests. Please be patient. Give me some time. We’ll be fair to all,” Loke told the press after the weekly Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya.

He said the previous Barisan Nasional government has amended the laws to regulate e-hailing drivers but the regulations have to be enforced.

“We cannot ban e-hailing. It’s an international trend. We’ll regulate. There will be rules that e-hailing drivers have to follow,” he said.

He said e-hailing drivers will have to register themselves with the government and buy insurance like taxi drivers, among others.

The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has until July to provide suggestions to the Transport Ministry to level the playing field, said Loke.

“I have a meeting with them on the direction of taxi and e-hailing this afternoon.” – June 27, 2018.