Cabbies protest near Parliament over e-hailing services

Around 200 taxi drivers from around the country gathered today at Padang Merbok, located about 3km from  Parliament, to protest against e-hailing services being allowed to operate. 

The taxi drivers had planned to submit a memorandum to Transport Minister Anthony Loke. The Seremban MP was being sworn in today in the first parliamentary session since the landmark 14th general election.

"GrabCar is an illegal business! We need the rule of law!" the protestors chanted. 

One protester who identified himself as 'Jazz' Rizal stressed that the drivers are not opposed to the Pakatan Harapan administration. 

"We are only against the transport minister's decision to allow e-hailing services to continue.

"He has violated the laws," he said.

Kamarudin Mohd Hussain, the deputy president of Persatuan Transformasi Pemandu Teksi Malaysia (PERS1M) told Malaysiakini that it was his organisation that had prepared the memorandum.

"One of our demands is for the government to stop all e-hailing services by companies like GrabCar and MyCar until new laws are set up to regulate them," he told reporters.

Kamarudin (second from left in photo) also stressed that taxi drivers are unhappy about Loke's announcement because it was made after consultation with GrabCar representatives and not taxi drivers.

Last Wednesday, the minister announced that rideshare drivers will be subject to the same standards and regulations as taxi drivers – which includes registering with the Companies Commission or Cooperatives Commission, using vehicles that meet the Asean New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) three-star rating, and sending vehicles over three years old for annual Puspakom inspections.

These drivers were given a one-year grace period to ensure compliance with the ruling.

There are currently no specific laws to regulate e-hailing services, with the protesters today urging the ministry to engage taxi drivers in the policymaking process.

About 15 police officials and six Light Strike Force personnel with riot shield were on standby to stop the protestors from leaving the field and marching towards Parliament. 

"We urge the government to respect the rule of law. We are not here to create any disturbance!" shouted one of the protestors.

The taxi drivers wore uniforms with logos of their respective associations such as PERS1M, Skudai Parade, Gabungan Persatuan Berdaftar Johor Bahru (GA-PET), Persatuan Taxi India Johor Bahru (PPTIJB), and Elite Driver KL.

According to Jazz Rizal (right in photo) the protest was not led by any one individual, with drivers only assembling after a call to action went out on social media. 

After few rounds of negotiations between the protesters and the police, Dang Wangi police deputy chief Rudy Abdullah announced that a representative from the Transport Ministry would meet the protesters.

Meanwhile, at Parliament, Loke insisted that the taxi drivers are free to protest and voice their dissatisfaction. 

“As you know, the new government practices democracy and freedom. They are free to demonstrate,” he said when met by reporters at the Dewan Rakyat lobby.

He said he had instructed his political secretary to receive the taxi drivers’ memorandum, and assured that they would be treated well.

Dahlan Makmur, who identified himself as the minister's political secretary, arrived at about 10.50am and received the memorandum.

He left immediately after without answering any questions from the press.

The taxi drivers dispersed by driving away at 11.10am. - Mkini