200 cabbies protest in downtown KL

Hundreds of taxi drivers blocked off most of Jalan Bukit Bintang, demonstrating against alleged government neglect.

KUALA LUMPUR: About 200 taxi drivers blocked off most of Jalan Bukit Bintang for several hours today in a protest against what they say is the government’s refusal to address  their problems.

Parking their cars in front of the Grand Millenium Hotel, the drivers demanded  a meeting with the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).

Cabbies told reporters that they were protesting against the city’s free-to-ride GO-KL bus service, which was set up in two popular routes last month.

However, representative Mohammad Asharaf Yasin, 45, told reporters that the free-bus-ride was only part of the problem that local drivers faced everyday.

“We are angry with SPAD. They chase us away from the roadside everyday! They issue summonses to us while giving the taxi stands to the big taxi companies [to handle].

“Now with the GO-KL, they are not only picking up the locals, but also the tourists. For free! How are we to make money now?” he said.

Despite the presence of more than 20 police officers, none intervened.

As of 6pm, SPAD officials were nowhere to be found.

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