E-hailing drivers unhappy with 'AH' vehicle code

PUTRAJAYA: E-hailing drivers have expressed dissatisfaction with the Transport Ministry's decision to change their vehicle's code to 'AH', which denotes that it is a "private e-hailing" car.

Ng Kian Nam, representing a group of disgruntled drivers, said although the ministry had clarified this does not change the car's status to that of a commercial vehicle, it was still a change in category.

On Wednesday (Oct 9), Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the change to the "AH" code is only in the Road Transport Department (JPJ)'s MySIKAP system, and will not be reflected in the vehicle's ownership grant.

"What is the difference if there is a status change in the grant, or just in the MySIKAP system? It is still a change in category.

"What happened to the minister's promise in May that there will not be a change in the vehicle's status? We do not want this," said Ng, a lawyer who is also MCA's Civil Society Bureau chief.

Another group representative, Dominic Koh, said the AH code in the MySIKAP records would still affect the car's resale value.

"A potential car buyer could still look up the MySIKAP system and find out that the car they are about to buy has been used for e-hailing purposes.

"They would then offer a lower price because of this," said Koh.

Ng and Koh were among a group of 60 e-hailing drivers who gathered in front of the Transport Ministry here, demanding a meeting with Loke.

Loke, however, was in Ipoh for the launch ceremony of the Electric Train Service 2 (ETS2) and the Ipoh Railway Station integrated development project.

A 14-point memorandum, which demands better engagement with e-hailing drivers, was submitted to the ministry's public relations officer V. Leelakumari.

"We have attempted to meet the minister many times, but he has never agreed to it. We insist that he meets with us to listen to the grouses of the e-hailing drivers.

"Don't just hear the views of the operators," said Ng to reporters here.