Taxi protest fizzles out as 'we are following the law'

PUTRAJAYA: There was no demonstration by taxi drivers at the Transport Ministry to protest the government's handling of the e-hailing issue, despite the threat by several taxi associations.

Journalists waited at the ministry before 9am as notified, but eventually only a handful of taxi association representatives showed up.

Big Blue Taxi Facilities Sdn Bhd advisor Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail said he had called off the demonstration, following advice from authorities.

“Yesterday (Nov 7), police from Bukit Aman and the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters met with me and told me not to proceed with the planned demonstration.

“We are also aware that the Transport Minister is away in Bangkok while his deputy is in Sarawak.

So, today (Nov 8) we met with a ministry officer, and we are giving the ministry another two weeks to arrange a meeting with us.

“Don't say that we did not show up, but we have been asked by authorities to cooperate.

“We are following the law and procedures. If we did not want to abide, we could have gone ahead with it,” said Shamsubahrin.

On Monday (Nov 5), Shamsubahrin demanded a meeting with Transport Minister Anthony Loke, failing which, he said, cabbies would organise a peaceful protest at Padang Merbok in Kuala Lumpur.

On Wednesday (Nov 7), a media invitation was issued by Shamsubahrin, saying the peaceful protest would be held at the Transport Ministry. 

Responding to demand for a meeting, Loke said he was not willing to entertain requests made under threats.

Meanwhile, Gabungan Taxi SeMalaysia (GTSM) president Kamarudin Mohd Hussain said taxi drivers under the association had no intention of being enemies with Loke or the government.

“All of us in the association are supportive of the Pakatan Harapan government. We even campaigned for Pakatan in the election, so the issue of us being against Loke does not arise.

“We have 150 associations under our umbrella body. By right, we are entitled to meet with the minister to voice concerns affecting taxi drivers,” said Kamarudin.

He added that the cabbies were not calling for the abolishment of e-hailing services, but instead it wanted the government to ensure a level playing field between taxis and private cars.