PETALING JAYA: The proposed amendment Bill to certain provisions related to p-hailing is to protect the industry more effectively, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The Transport Minister said p-hailing was a new industry which emerged widely in Malaysia during the pandemic and many new aspects of the industry had to be looked into.
"As such, we need to amend certain laws to ensure the source of power to safeguard the p-hailing industry which do not have any avenue to turn to," said Dr Wee on his Facebook after receiving a delegation led by Umno Youth head Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki at the Transport Ministry office on Thursday (Aug 11).
"I stressed in the meeting that whatever is being done now was to defend and protect the welfare of p-hailing riders, including the proposal to introduce vocational licence, which is not the same as GDL licence for heavy vehicles.
"Presently, stakeholders' meetings are still going on and the Transport Ministry will continue to discuss with various parties including associations and p-hailing riders and companies which provide services for both ehailing and p-hailing.
Dr Wee said when p-hailing is under the same roof as taxis and e-hailing, it would be easier to manage the process, especially the welfare of the riders to channel incentives or government aid which were given to taxis and ehailing drivers.
"Most importantly, we can intervene if p-hailing riders are treated unfairly by any companies.”
Dr Wee thanked Asyraf and said the views of the delegation would be taken into consideration to ensure the p-hailing industry further develops and to give much benefits to riders who are mainly youth.
Also present among others were the Prime Minister's political secretary Khaizulnizam Mohamad Zuldin, Dr Wee's political secretary Datuk Quek Tai Seong, Transport Ministry land division assistant secretary Mohd Kamal Hisham Abu Bakar and p-hailing companies' representatives.
