Dr M threatens to quit after rude reception by taxi drivers

LANGKAWI : Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he is prepared to resign as Prime Minister during a dialogue session here yesterday with taxi drivers over “preferential treatment” given to e-hailing service Grab.

A meeting by Dr Mahathir with members of the taxi drivers association here was disrupted when it turned chaotic due to the rude behaviour of some drivers who shouted and walked out of the room in disagreement with the premier’s view on Grab.

“If (you) don’t believe that I can (help), do yourself. See what happens. I want to help, but if you don’t help me, I cannot help.

“It’s not that I want to be a Prime Minister. I have retired, but people call me back, that’s why I came. If you don’t want me to be the Prime Minister, I can resign today, it’s no problem for me,” he added.

About 10 taxi drivers shouted offensive words and walked out of the room after the Prime Minister said he would continue to find the best way to resolve the issue for the benefit of all parties.

After about two minutes and when the situation calmed down, Dr Mahathir said as the Prime Minister, he was only trying to help the taxi drivers.

The Prime Minister also announced that Grab will soon be required to use vehicles approved by the government and be subjected to insurance and tax requirements like taxis.

“I have brought this up in Cabinet... I told the minister (of Transport) 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 but I cannot give my assurance that Grab will be abolished, but we can make them equal like taxis,” said Dr Mahathir.

A taxi association claimed that a group of cabbies that disrupted the event with Dr Mahathir in Langkawi could possibly be saboteurs.

Association of Malaysia Taxi Drivers, Rental Cars, Premium Executive Limo (Perjiwa) chairman Zailani Isaisuludin said those who caused the ruckus by heckling Dr Mahathir and walking out were not members of the association.

“Maybe they were paid by certain quarters to disrupt the event... I reject claims that they were members of Perjiwa. I don’t know them at all,” said Zailani, who is also Bukit Bintang Bersatu chief.

He said Perjiwa had also apologised to Dr Mahathir personally after the event, and that he hoped the offending cabbies would also do the same.