Think before letting Gojek in, says Umno Youth

Experts are divided about Indonesia e-hailing company Gojek’s entry into the Malaysian market.

PETALING JAYA: Umno Youth has cautioned the government against rushing to introduce the Gojek motorcycle-hailing service in the country.

“The government’s job is not only to fulfil the need for public transportation but also to ensure the people’s safety,” said Wan Agyl Hassan, Umno Youth’s director of strategies.

“If there’s an accident involving a motorcycle and another transportation mode, it’s the people on the motorcycle who are injured more seriously.”

Agyl, who used to head a unit of the Land Public Transport Commission, told FMT he believed the government should spend time to consider the pros and cons of introducing the service.

“The record shows there is a high number of casualties involving motorcycles,” he said.

“Speaking as a transport expert, I don’t see how we can reduce the number.”

Wan Agyl Hassan.

He noted that Gojek had not disclosed statistics on the casualties in accidents involving its service and said this was reason enough to believe it was unreliable.

He also noted that the government was still struggling to license e-hailing drivers from Grab and Foodpanda and said it wouldn’t be any different with Gojek.

“If we let Gojek in, there is no going back. Before we know it, it would have blended into our road ecosystem.”

Another transport expert, however, said he would welcome Gojek as a “realistic solution” for Malaysia’s public transportation needs.

Goh Bok Yen, who has been a transport consultant for 30 years, said its introduction could solve commuting problems in cities without worsening traffic congestion.

Goh Bok Yen,

He said concerns over safety could be addressed through the “training and culturing” of drivers.

“Let them be more responsible by educating them with safety guidelines and requiring them to take a test,” he said.

Goh suggested the designation of separate road lanes for motorcycles to manage congestion and ensure safety if Gojek were to be introduced in Malaysia.

The transport ministry recently surveyed public opinions regarding the possible introduction of motorcycle taxis. The results have yet to be publicised.

Police statistics show that motorcyclists accounted for nearly 66% of fatalities in road accidents last year.

DY Shin is an intern at FMT.