1,000 licences for cabbies, but with conditions (buy Proton Exora)

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has announced the issuance of 1,000 individual taxi licences and other goodies for taxi drivers today, but with strings attached.

In addition to having a good track record as a taxi driver for five years, the drivers must purchase a specially fitted Proton Exora multipurpose vehicle.

"I have made the decision just now," said Najib, apparently impressed with the concept vehicles displayed outside the event venue.

"For each and every of the 1,000 taxi drivers whom we are about to give their individual licences, it is mandatory to purchase a Proton Exora.

"Yayasan Rakyat 1MDB will give a grant of RM5,000 for each taxi, meaning that the RM64,000 price would be reduced to RM59,000," he said.

In addition, they would be allowed to ply the lucrative routes to and fro the KL International Airport.

Spillover crowds of taxi drivers attending the ceremony at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) cheered as the announcement was made. Two hundred of the 1,000 licences were issued during the event.

The crowd, at least 5,000-strong, left a line of parked taxis sprawling for hundreds of metres along the roadside around the PICC. At least one of the taxis even fell into an open manhole - one of many that were left exposed due to missing covers.

In addition, the prime minister also promised that a second round of TR1Ma tyre vouchers would be issued, potentially benefitting some 70,000 taxi drivers nationwide.

Taxi drivers have long complained that they have to pay high rental fees to taxi companies in order to rent and operate a taxi.

Abolishing the system and issuing individual taxi licences is one of the promises in Pakatan Rakyat's manifesto, while Najib promised the licences last June with no follow up until today.

Keen to secure their votes, Najib urged the taxi drivers to return the favour with a ‘bai'ah' (loyalty pledge) to the BN government.

"We need a bai'ah amongst ourselves. The BN-led government can give more licenses to individuals. Besides that, you would need to ‘bai'ah' to the government.

"Can you be a courteous taxi driver? Can you be a trustworthy taxi driver? Don't forget the government's goodwill when the time comes," he said, with crowds cheering at every pause.

Speaking at a press conference later, Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) chairperson Syed Hamid Albar said the Exora cars are fitted with taxi meters, credit card readers, and a holder that displays the driver's particulars behind the driver's seat, with the latter being a safety precaution.

In addition, they are factory-retrofitted to run on natural gas instead of petrol, in contrast with aftermarket modifications that could void the vehicle's warranty.

Hamid added that the government has decided to include a financial package to go with the car, including zero down payment, because past experience has shown that taxi drivers might be able to afford a new car even if they were issued with their own licence.

Although the vehicle may not be resold and the licence is not leasable, the said licence holders may nominate a second driver to share the licence and vehicle with.