Guidelines needed, govt told

PETALING JAYA: A comprehensive guideline must be issued by the government to overcome issues faced by motorcyclists working as delivery riders with expired road tax and vehicle insurance, says Malaysian eHailing Association chief activist Jose Rizal.

Jose said p-hailing riders are protected under the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715), but the guidelines for the services of food delivery riders under the latest amendments made under the Bill have yet to be issued by the government.

“We understand amendments under Act 715 have been made and approved by Parliament earlier this year, and it was reported that a specific guideline will be issued by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) within a year after the amendments were passed in Parliament,” he said when asked about the prevalence of delivery riders who do not have proper documentation.

A comprehensive and holistic guideline to protect p-hailing riders, Jose said, should also include delivery platforms and relevant companies being held accountable for allowing their delivery riders to perform their job without valid documents.

“There is no specific act against companies that allow riders with expired road tax and insurance, and since the guidelines have yet to be issued, perhaps the authorities can consider this.

“Right now, not all food delivery operators conduct thorough screening of the riders, and this matter can occur because the regulations from the government have yet to be implemented,” he said.

The Land Public Transport (Amendment) Bill 2023, which was passed in Dewan Negara in April, will enable Apad to regulate the p-hailing sector, including operators.

The amendment involves the regulation of goods vehicle services, including the use of motorbikes, through p-hailing services.

A spokesperson for food delivery company Foodpanda Malaysia said the company has made it compulsory for its delivery partners to provide personal details, including their driving or riding licences and the validity of road tax, upon registration.

“Upon successful application, the delivery riders are also given free (personal) insurance coverage to protect them against personal injuries and accidents,” the spokesperson said.

It is understood that Foodpanda Malaysia delivery partners are insured up to RM100,000 in the event of accidental death or permanent disability while working.

Among the beneficiaries of the company’s insurance coverage is the family of delivery rider Muhamad Hafiz Muhamad Salleh, who died when an aircraft crashed on the road that he was using at the time.

He was among 10 victims who died in a plane crash on the Guthrie Highway interchange near the Elmina township in Shah Alam on Aug 17.