SHOWDOWN BUKIT BINTANG: Cab driver or BN's corrupt licensing system to BLAME?

The showdown all along Bukit Bintang – Malaysia’s tourism showcase deserves debate. This is a long standing issue that remains stubbornly unresolved.

Recently the BN political machinery had attempted to pacify taxi drivers by giving them free tyre purchases at pre-approved outlets. It did not go down well with the recipients. It was perceived as yet another case akin to the proverbial saying ‘giving a man a fish when he is in great need to learn to fish’.

Taxi drivers in Malaysia have been neglected for far too long. In a tiny city of hardly 25-kilometer radius, where stage bus services are a confirmed failure, taxi service is an intelligent alternative to shuttle around.

Given the densely mushrooming residential developments that hug the perimeters of the city of Kuala Lumpur, the usefulness of the taxi service to get to train stations is equally a felt need given the inadequate parking space.

So why is the taxi driver complaining of hardships? The answer to this crucial question is also the backbone of the problems faced by taxi drivers.

Corruption & greed

Behind all the issues that the protesting taxi drivers have highlighted recently at Bukit Bintang lies a singular cause: corruption and greed.

We could have easily made taxi driving as a respected and legitimate career. We could have easily made the taxi drivers into successful self-employed citizens. We could have easily made every taxi driver an ambassador ferrying tourists.

Taxi drivers could also have effectively solved our traffic woes; solved our transport nightmares; and played a complimentary role in PDRM’s fight against street crimes and in creating safe-feeling environments.

But all these could not be achieved despite having an experienced and longest serving political party in the world. Why? Do we still blame the taxi drivers?

Making taxi-drivers look bad

BN has through its main stream media always never failed to make monstrous broadcast of the occasional recalcitrant taxi driver. The strategy was to make the taxi drivers all look bad. What we need to see is the fact that the government failed to make the taxi driver a shining star.

When taxi drivers complain of losses in earning owing to policies that do not enable the business, we get to read of counter stories of a lone taxi driver beaming with the great earnings he or she can make.

When the taxi drivers have exhausted their patient wait for solutions and help they go on a street protest only to face-off the threatening arm of the law made more ferocious by officers who are subservient to ‘directives from above’.

The question is why are we still being faced with companies whose background and shareholding are wrapped in mystery the beneficiary of taxi permits?

Why can’t the authorities put together a scheme where taxi permits are issued to a national taxi drivers association? This association can be upgraded into an academy or institution that also trains and qualifies taxi drivers into professional members of the association.

The association can operate just like in any other company and work towards being listed. That will enable taxi drivers to even have access to shares and dividends.

Taxi drivers should be able to enjoy EPF and banking facilities as well as all the other employee benefits that go along with normal workers – like medical, annual leave, etc.

Licences based on political patronage

The long and outdated practice of giving out singular licenses based on political allegiance and through political parties is a scam. Likewise the hording of bulk permits to taxi fleet operations is a rip-off.

So let us not blame the taxi drivers for the many frustrating woes. Let us not slam them for the bad hats that they are as portrayed to be in the main stream media.

The bottom-line truth is BN has failed to nurture the taxi service and remains blinded by the greed and corrupt mindset of self-enrichment.

MAILBAG