Apologise to Dr Mahathir, rude taxi drivers told

KUALA LUMPUR: A taxi drivers’ group has called on the cabbies who were disruptive during a meeting with the Prime Minister to say sorry to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Persatuan Pemandu Teksi 1Mal­ay­sia secretary Ridzwan Noordin said the impertinent taxi drivers at the event in Langkawi on Sunday should apologise to Dr Mahathir.

“They did not listen to his explanation. That was a dialogue session; if they could not tolerate it, they should have given their questions to a representative. If everybody wants to have their say, how can?” he said.

Big Blue Taxi Facilities Sdn Bhd founder Datuk Shamsubaharin Ismail called on the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) to revoke the licences of the taxi drivers concerned.

“We do not support the 10 taxi drivers who were rude in Langkawi or any other taxi driver who is rude.

“As Malaysians, we are taught to be cultured, and not to be rude,” Shamsubaharin said.

He said taxi drivers would not want Dr Mahathir to step down, in response to remarks by the Prime Minister that “if you don’t want me to be the Prime Minister, I can resign today”.

An upset Dr Mahathir said this after some of the taxi drivers shouted abusive words and walked out on him over their dissatisfaction with the Grab e-hailing service.

Shamsubaharin instead urged Dr Mahathir to push for the Transport Ministry to quickly regulate the e-hailing firms.

“Remove the Transport Minister if he fails to follow your instructions, and also the APAD CEO, who has given the wrong advice and direction to the government and the ministry,” he said.

Shamsubaharin was referring to Dr Mahathir’s previous instructions that e-hailing firm Grab be asked to use vehicles approved by the government and also for its drivers to pay insurance just like normal taxis to ensure fair competition.

Dr Mahathir also said Transport Minister Anthony Loke was told to fix the problems but there has been no progress.