Luyang's state assemblyperson Phoong Jin Zhe has called for the Sabah state government to reconsider its decision to ban e-hailing services from inter-district travel after an e-hailing driver in Kota Kinabalu was fined RM5,000 by the police for transporting an essential worker across districts.
He also urged Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong to help out the e-hailing driver who was fined as the minister had previously said that all public transport services including taxis and e-hailing cars could operate during the movement control order (MCO) with a permission letter from his ministry.
“I hope Wee will keep his promise and help this e-hailing driver out. And I humbly appeal to the state government to reconsider its decision to ban e-hailing services from inter-district travel,” Phoong said in a statement today.
He related the story of the e-hailing driver, known only as 'Lai', who had approached him for help after an appeal against the fine failed.
“According to Lai, he was fetching an essential worker from Penampang’s 7-11 outlet back to Kinarut as his client was returning home on June 12.
“Lai shared with us when he arrived at a roadblock, the police did not allow him to explain nor make a U-turn and leave. They immediately issued him with the fine despite him being willing to drop off his client at the roadblock.
“He tried to appeal to the related authorities but they did not pardon him. Lai said it is his last resort to seek for our help,” Phoong said.
He said Lai had all the relevant documents with him at the time, including a company letter, a permission letter from the Transport Ministry’s Logistics Industry Information System (Smile) as well as his passenger service vehicle (PSV) license.
'Not allowed'
When contacted by Malaysiakini, Wee said his ministry will immediately look into Lai’s case.
“I will immediately ask the Transport Ministry officers to liaise with the police and find out the truth,” he said.
When asked about the summons issued, Sabah police commissioner Hazani Ghazali pointed to the Sabah standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the current MCO.
The Sabah SOPs state that all public transportation across districts are not allowed. Taxis and e-hailing services are considered public transportation services.
“It is not fair if public transportation is not allowed but e-hailing is (travel inter-district),” he added when contacted by Malaysiakini today.
Phoong said even though public transportation could not operate inter-district during the MCO, e-hailing services and taxis should be allowed as they were a necessary service for essential workers.
“How can essential workers travel to work if they do not own any vehicles? The state government must take this into consideration and coordinate with the police regarding this matter,” he said.
“Lai is innocent as he was just operating his service as to how he does daily. His client was an essential worker,” he added. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.