IPOH: E-hailing drivers in Malaysia need to be careful when taking up jobs as they could be transporting illegal immigrants.
Perak Road Transport Department director Mohammad Yusoff Abustan said there were laws that must be followed by the drivers and urged them to reject jobs that are not tied to their respective e-hailing mobile apps.
"Some drivers take on side jobs for extra income outside the app, where their income is not audited through the app.
"This is not allowed, so always follow the rules," he said in a press conference after a public auction for vehicles at the department's headquarters here on Tuesday (Feb 25).
"Obtaining a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence involves understanding the legal requirements and responsibilities that must be followed.
"I know that the nature of e-hailing services is to transport passengers from Point A to Point B, but some drivers are taking passengers from Point B to Point C without using the app. This is clearly against the law," he added.
There have been reports that e-hailing drivers have been arrested by the police for transporting illegal migrants, with such jobs arranged outside the app.
On the JPJ auction, Mohammed Yusoff said RM258,170 was generated from the sales of 60 vehicles, with the highest bid made for a lorry, at RM49,300, while the lowest was RM70, for a motorcycle.
"A total of 86 bidders took part in the public auction.
"Of the 60 vehicles, 50 can be issued with licences while the remaining 10 were meant to be scrapped," he said.
"The licensable vehicles involve 11 cars, 32 motorcycles, five lorries, a van, and a semi-trailer.
"The vehicles that are meant to be scrapped include six motorcycles, three lorries and a van," he added.
