KUALA LUMPUR: Amendments to three transportation laws were tabled in the Dewan Rakyat to regulate the p-hailing industry.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Henry Sum Agong tabled amendments to the Land Public Transport Act, Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act and Road Transport Act for the first reading on Monday (Oct 3).
Among the amendments are the definition of “p-hailing vehicle” as a motor vehicle used for the carriage of goods on any journey in consideration of a charge for each of the goods.
The amendments also covered bookings or transactions and charges carried out through electronic mobile applications.
A p-hailing vehicle will also be subject to an intermediation business licence, which allows the licensing board to regulate the operator by imposing conditions, such as ensuring standards and safety measures.
The minimum age of p-hailing riders would also be reduced to 18 from the current 21, where they would be able to obtain a vocational licence.
The amendments also require any person operating or providing any services related to intermediation business to apply for a licence under the Land Transport Act and the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act within one year of the amendments coming into force.
The Bills are expected to be passed during the current Dewan Rakyat meeting which began on Oct 3. The Dewan Rakyat meeting is scheduled to end this Nov 29.
In August, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said that amendments were needed to the relevant transportation laws to protect the industry and riders more effectively.
He noted that p-hailing was a new industry which emerged widely in Malaysia during the pandemic.
Dr Wee also said that a one-year moratorium would be in place before the laws are implemented.
