KUALA LUMPUR: Amendments to three transportation laws were tabled in the Dewan Rakyat to better regulate riders delivering food and goods.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Henry Sum Agong tabled amendments to the Land Public Transport Act, the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Act and the Road Transport Act for their first reading yesterday.
Among the amendments is 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 cover bookings or transactions and charges carried out through 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 will be also 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 an intermediation business-related goods vehicles to apply for a licence under the Land Transport Act and the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Act within one year of the amendments coming into force.
The Bills are expected to be passed during the current meeting which began yesterday.
In August, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said amendments were needed to relevant transport laws to protect the industry and riders more effectively.
He noted that p-hailing was a new industry which emerged during the pandemic, and gave an assurance of a one-year moratorium before the laws are implemented.
