Selangor cabbies mull three-hour strike

Taxi associations say they're running out of patience as authorities ignore complaints against Uber and GrabCar

SHAH ALAM: Taxi drivers in Selangor have raised the possibility of suspending their operations in protest against the government’s apparent unconcern with their plight as they face competition from Uber and GrabCar services.

It was announced at a press conference today that Selangor taxi associations were considering forming a federation to strengthen their hand. Numerous associations were represented at the press conference.

According to the President of the Giant Seksyen 13 Taxi Association, Khalil Ali, a three-hour suspension of taxi services would be enough to cause chaos in Selangor.

“Diplomacy doesn’t work in Malaysia,” he said. “Only protest demonstrations will open people’s eyes.”

He alleged that it was only because taxi drivers were exercising patience that the authorities were not acting on their complaints against what he said were “illegal” Uber and GrabCar services.

“We in Shah Alam are still patient and have not held demonstrations like taxi drivers in Kuala Lumpur,” he said. “But we are discussing the possibility of forming a federation of Selangor taxi drivers. Perhaps it is only then that the authorities will take action.”

Referring to the possibility of a three-hour strike, Khalil said: “We’re not issuing threats, but the authorities have to take the problems taxi drivers are facing seriously. We don’t even have to call it a protest. All we have to do is rest for three hours and Selangor would be crippled.”

Shah Alam Taxi Drivers and Car Rentals President Yazid Mohamad Yusof pointed out that a suspension of taxi services in Shah Alam had happened before. “Taxi drivers in Shah Alam rested for two to three hours and people were left in a state of panic,” he said. “We didn’t mean to hold a strike. We only wanted to rest for a while.”

Khalil said patience had its limits. “The cost of living is increasing and our incomes are dropping. If you keep pushing us, then it is only natural for us to react. It happens in every country.”