Two Uber drivers arrested in Kota Kinabalu

Food, glorious food: Uber is gearing up to deliver meals in Amsterdam this week.

KOTA KINABALU: Two Uber drivers have been arrested during police operations against illegal public transporters in the city.

OCPD Asst Comm M. Chandra said the two men, aged 37 and 25, were arrested in front of a shopping mall here at about 4.30pm Monday.

“Uber drivers are increasing, and in Sabah, they need a proper licence from the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) to operate,” he said.

He said Uber drivers, though registered online, are not legal in Sabah.

“In fact, those operating under Uber here are considered the same as pirate taxis,” he said, adding that the credibility of these drivers is not verified and the safety of passengers not guaranteed.

ACP Chandra said the two men have been released on police bail pending court order for trial.

This case is being investigated under Section 33 of the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987 for using a private vehicle for commercial purposes.

Those found guilty face a minimum fine of RM1,000.

ACP Chandra also advised taxi drivers not to take matters into their own hands when they see Uber drivers carrying passengers.

Recently, two videos showing taxi drivers scolding Uber drivers and forcing them to get their passengers out of their vehicles here went viral on social media.