Angry cabbies suing SPAD

Hear us out: A group of taxi drivers holding a protest at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur where they filed the lawsuit.

KUALA LUMPUR: About 100 taxi drivers are suing the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) for alleged negligence in taking pro-active action to ban Uber, GrabCar and Blacklane, which they claimed have affected their livelihood.

They are applying for a court order to SPAD to issue a guideline and a circular on agreed terms to ban the three car-booking app operators who they claimed charged lower rates.

They are seeking a permanent injunction to compel SPAD not to legalise the activities and operations of Uber, GrabCar and Blacklane, which they claimed did not get approval from the authority to ferry passengers.

The taxi drivers said the three operators have ruined the local taxi industry by using a “booking provider” application which could not be controlled through provisions of law.

The plaintiffs said they have been discriminated and their rights guaranteed under the Federal Constitution have been affected.

They are part of the members of the Klang Valley Taxi Drivers Action Committee – an ad hoc action committee comprising 29 taxi associations.

They want to get a declaration from the High Court for SPAD to ban these three operators within seven days of a court order.

In the statement of claim, Abdul Aziz Lebai Milin and 101 taxi drivers have named SPAD as the sole defendant.

Among others, they are asking for general damages, interest, costs and relief deemed fit by the court.

They filed the lawsuit at the High Court civil registry through lawyer R. Kengadharan.

Speaking to reporters, Kengadharan said his clients’ source of income was affected by the three operators whose vehicles are not commercial vehicles but personal vehicles used for commercial purposes.

Ad hoc action committee chairman Zailani Isa Usuludin said they are seeking a fair legal solution because their livelihood has been seriously affected.

“We have to support our families. We work for 16 hours but only get between RM150 and RM160. We have to pay for car rent, petrol, maintenance and to the respective companies.

“How to survive with the balance of RM30 after all those deductions?” he said.

Previously, he said they could earn RM120 when they worked for eight hours.