KUALA LUMPUR: A coalition representing over 100 taxi associations across the country today warned the government that it would not hesitate to hold a mass demonstration on Dec 19 over Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook’s alleged failure to address cabbies’ concerns with regard to e-hailing services.
Kamaruddin Hussain, who leads Gabungan Teksi Se-Malaysia, said the Transformasi Teksi demonstration was to send a message to Loke that he should resign from his position if he is unable to do his job.
He also accused Loke of being arrogant and unwilling to sit down with taxi drivers to solve the issues.
“We do not wish for the government to ban e-hailing drivers,” he said in a press conference here.
“We only demand a level playing ground between cabbies and e-hailing drivers. The wait has gone on for too long.
“We understand that it is impossible for the government to ban the e-hailing system; that’s why we just want equality.”
Kamaruddin added that the coalition would not apply for a permit from the police in order to hold the demonstration as it was disappointed with them as well.
“If e-hailing drivers can drive around illegally on the road, and no action is taken against them, why can’t we do the same thing?”
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was previously reported as saying that Grab drivers would be required to use vehicles approved by the government. They would also have to pay insurance and taxes like normal taxis in order to ensure fair competition.
He said he had brought the issue up in Cabinet and told the minister in charge to address it, but that there had been no progress.
Kamaruddin, who claimed that the e-hailing system was illegal, said the matter could be easily resolved if the government upheld the rule of law.
He also asked if Loke had something to hide, accusing him of being reluctant to meet with taxi drivers.
“If he is really serious about this, he should clear up the matter immediately. If he has nothing to hide, then come and sit down with us.”
Big Blue Taxi founder Shamsubahrin Ismail, who was also present at the press conference, said he too was disappointed with Loke.
Although he respected Loke as a minister, he said, the latter had been unprofessional and did not appear bothered about the fate of cabbies.
He said he had written to Loke on Nov 5, asking for a meeting with the minister to solve the issues.
“But he did not bother to meet me,” he said, adding that Loke had also ignored the two weeks’ notice given to him.
“The same goes for the deputy minister who also refused to see me. Is there something fishy going on?”
He warned that if no action was taken after the demonstration, he would not hesitate to show up at DAP’s annual general meeting to urge the party to drop Loke as a minister. -FMT
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