Taxi driver protest at Padang Merbok postponed indefinitely

PETALING JAYA: The taxi driver protest at Padang Merbok on Wednesday (Oct 24) is postponed indefinitely as the organisers have not got approval from the authorities.

Big Blue Taxi Facilities Sdn Bhd founder Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail said police had requested he postpone the protest as he needed to apply for a permit and to submit relevant documents.

“We will abide by the law and the police requirements. Tomorrow’s demonstration will be postponed,” he said in a WhatsApp message Tuesday (Oct 23).

On Monday (Oct 22), Shamsubahrin said taxi drivers would hold a protest at Padang Merbok in Jalan Parlimen on Oct 24 at 9am.

He previously said he would be holding the protest to meet with Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah to urge them to follow Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s instructions on ensuring ride-hailing services adhere to the same laws and regulations as taxi drivers.

Taxi drivers around the country have increasingly been unhappy about Grab, claiming that the e-hailing service was putting a dent in their earnings.

On Oct 17, a group of disgruntled taxi drivers held a protest in front of the Finance Ministry over the same issue.

A dialogue between Dr Mahathir and disgruntled taxi drivers in Langkawi on Oct 21 turned volatile as some taxi drivers shouted and staged a walkout.

A visibly upset Dr Mahathir offered to resign, saying, “If you don't want me to be the prime minister, I can resign today, it’s no problem for me”.