‘RUDE’ TAXI DRIVERS RILE UP DR M AT DIALOGUE
‘I can resign if you don’t want me as prime minister’
ADIALOGUE between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and taxi drivers here turned ugly when some, disagreeing with the prime minister’s views on e-hailing, shouted rudely and left the dialogue.
Ten taxi drivers staged a walkout when Dr Mahathir said he would look for the best way to resolve the issue.
Upset by the action of the taxi drivers, Dr Mahathir said he was prepared to resign as prime minister. Stating that he had retired once, Dr Mahathir said he came back only because many had asked him to fix the country.
“If you don’t want me to be prime minister, today I resign. Not a problem for me.”
The group behaved in a rude manner before staging a walkout while Dr Mahathir was giving an explanation on e-hailing services.
About 200 taxi drivers, who claimed that their livelihood was affected, were present.
Earlier, Dr Mahathir said Grab would be asked to use vehicles approved by the government, as well as pay insurance and taxes just like normal taxis to ensure fair competition.
“I have brought this up with the cabinet. I told the (transport) minister to fix it, but unfortunately, there has been no progress.
“I will try again. I, too, feel it is unfair. This matter has my attention. I cannot give my assurance that Grab will be abolished, but we can make them equal like taxis.”