E-hailing drivers: Why set medical fee at RM80 when clinics charging only RM20?

PETALING JAYA: The Road Transport Department's (JPJ) decision to set the mandatory medical examination fee for e-hailing drivers at RM80 is not warranted as many clinics charge only RM20, says the Malaysia E-Hailing Drivers Association (Mehda).

Its president Daryl Chong said despite JPJ's best intention to prevent overcharging, the association has already secured a low rate of RM20 to ease the burden of e-hailing drivers.

“In a bid to help our members nationwide, Mehda approached many clinics since May this year, requesting them to impose a minimal charge for the medical examination, ” he said, pointing out that the new ruling would force e-hailing drivers to pay more.

On Aug 20, JPJ issued a circular to the Health Ministry and Malaysian Medical Association to fix a standard rate of RM80 for e-hailing drivers to do their medical examination.

The check-up is needed for the application and renewal of the public service vehicle (PSV) licence.

Chong said so far, a total of 135 panel clinics nationwide had agreed to the RM20 per person for Mehda members taking the medical examination.

“The clinics which agreed to be our panel (clinics) know very well that they do not make any profit from this, which is more of a CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiative to give back to society, ” he said.

Chong added that the examination would normally take between 20 and 30 minutes, and that the clinics took it upon themselves to subsidise the cost.

He said there was no reason to set a standard rate for the check-up when the fare for e-hailing rides was not regulated.

“We understand that the decision may be mooted to prevent overcharging but fixing a standard rate only defeats the purpose for the clinics to do good for society.

“Furthermore, it also adds to the financial burden of drivers, ” he said.

Chong called upon the government to revert to the previous practice of allowing the clinics to decide how much they want to charge.