Cabinet confirms ban on Dego Ride

PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has shut the door on legalising motorcycle taxi service Dego Ride and other such services.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who briefed Cabinet ministers on the issue on Wednesday, said the Cabinet agreed that Dego Ride should not operate in the country.

"We have agreed that we need to ban this Dego Ride service.

"We do not want to create another road safety risk by legalising this type of service. For the sake of the road users’ safety, we need to be cautious.

“We understand Dego Ride’s intentions in starting this service... but not in Malaysia.

"The Government is undertaking a public transportation transformation programme with the construction of urban train system like the MRT, LRT and the monorail. We are trying to complete this as fast as we can.

"We try our best to meet the transportation needs of the people in urban areas,” Liow said after the weekly Cabinet meeting.

Liow said the Road Transport Department (JPJ) nabbed several riders operating the Dego Ride service, while its operators have been called up to assist in investigations.

Liow said he is still open to meeting up with the founders of Dego Ride but for the time being, the government is firm in banning the service.

“I'm always open to meeting the operators, they can come and see me anytime. However, we are firm with our decision. Public safety is of the utmost importance.

“We want them to stop operating immediately,” said Liow.