Cut the red tape, say cabbies on Permai initiatives

 

Taxi drivers will be given a one-off RM500 cash aid and other incentives in the government’s new Permai package.

PETALING JAYA: A taxi drivers’ association has welcomed the government’s Permai relief package but has voiced concern the “excessive bureaucracy” of banks and credit-lease companies could affect its implementation.

Kamarudin Mohd Hussain, who heads the Gabungan Teksi SeMalaysia, said this is because taxi drivers have in the past been given a tough time with red tape.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced a scheme where a 50% guarantee on financing from hire purchase and leasing companies will be provided for selected buses and taxis.

This will allow bus and taxi operators to restructure their financing and enjoy a 12-month moratorium and lower monthly repayments.

“We hope that with the guarantee from the government, banks and credit-leasing companies will cut the excessive red tape for us,” he said.

Kamarudin also lauded other incentives, including the “one-off” RM500 cash aid for taxi drivers, and excise duty and sales tax exemption for the transfer, disposal and for private use of taxis which have been owned for five years.

Previously, the exemptions were only given for taxis which have been owned for seven years.

He said these measures will help taxi drivers who have been affected by the second movement control order.

“Actually, the excise duty is a burden for us and results in many taxis going out of service or ending up as scrap metal because the drivers cannot afford to pay it,” he said. - FMT