Be a man and fight for our rights, taxi rep tells SPAD chief

Taxi associations want SPAD chairman Syed Hamid Albar to listen to the grievances of taxi drivers and be firm with ride-sharing apps like Uber and Grab.

PETALING JAYA: The founder and adviser of a taxi company is demanding Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Syed Hamid Albar stand up and fight for the rights of licensed taxi drivers in the country instead of singing a different tune when it comes to ride-sharing apps like Uber and Grab.

In voicing his unhappiness with Syed Hamid, Shamsubahrin Ismail of KLCC Big Blue Taxi Services said, “Earlier, the chairman warned the government of the dangers of using Uber and Grab. Now why is he supporting those very same services? Something is not right.”

He added that Syed Hamid, who was a former lawmaker, was appointed to head SPAD based on his knowledge and experience of the law.

“He should stand up for our rights and be a man. He knows what is right,” Shamsubahrin added.

Meanwhile taxi associations have accused SPAD of lying about an online survey showing that 80% of the public preferred using Uber and Grab compared to licensed taxis.

They claimed that taxi drivers had carried out their own survey which revealed a different story altogether.

Klang Valley Taxi Committee president Zailani Isa Usuludin said that according to customer survey forms given to passengers for feedback, many revealed they felt safer hailing a licensed taxi.

The survey also showed that some of Uber and Grab drivers had, among other things, alleged to have asked passengers out on dates.

“Most foreigners use Uber and Grab, however Malaysians still preferred local taxis,” he added when asked to respond to a statement by Syed Hamid, who said the ride-sharing system was more popular due to its accessibility.

Zailani however asked if Syed Hamid was going back on his word regarding Uber and Grab due to political pressure especially since he had earlier warned the government to be cautious over those very same services.

“Now he is saying more people prefer Uber and Grab. Is the decision politically motivated? There are laws that say private cars should not be used for commercial purposes. These laws were enacted in Parliament,” he added.

Zailani also said SPAD, which regulates public transport vehicles, should revoke the licenses of taxi drivers who were giving others in the industry a bad name.

“We agree that there are gangsters, drivers with long hair and others troubling passengers. Revoke their licences,” he said.