CAN THRIVE Hisham’s willingness to be probed for alleged graft is welcoming
Programme and qualified cabbies exiting from the pajak model were granted individual taxi permits and RM5,000 each to pay for the downpayment of a new taxi.
A large pool of metered taxis is necessary to ensure fares remain stable and not allow ride-hailing apps, such as Uber and Grab, to dictate terms.
If taxis are driven out of the market, peak demands and surge pricing will be the norm and no longer restricted to rush hour.
But how do taxi drivers compete in the new economy? The short answer is to be flexible and not insist that their passengers must pay no less than regulated fares.
There is no reason why they cannot agree to the same fares and incentives acceptable to private car drivers, more so when taxis run on much cheaper natural
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2017 gas for vehicles.
Should they do so, Uber and Grab could lump taxis with private cars, and this will allow them to have the equal opportunity to receive just as many bookings through e-hailing.
Cabbies have the added option of picking up street-hailing passengers and get to collect higher regulated fares when using meters.
And if they treat every passenger as a VIP, taxi drivers could add 20 to 30 passengers a month to their regular customers.
They could easily clock 20 to 30 trips a day from street-hailing passengers and e-hailing.
Those who can communicate well with foreigners can act as tourist drivers and earn much more from hourly bookings, shopping commissions and tips. On the other hand, those who stick to the old ways by only waiting at train stations and shopping malls will earn less.
The cardinal rule for service providers also apply to taxi drivers: never be rude or angry, even when customers are wrong. WE are a parliamentary democracy and our people always welcome more young leaders in politics, especially from the ruling side, to strengthen the party’s vision and mission. Similarly, for the opposition, businessmen or corporate figures, the doors are open for them to join any party.
Today, most young politicians have their own financial sources. In fact, they should be financially supported for their political activities and living. Traditionally, most political leaders are experienced in business and the corporate world.
In Malaysia, there are young politicians whose sources of income are declared inconsistently. Their assets and lifestyles are mysteriously acquired.
I think the time has come for youth parliamentarians and party leaders to be transparent.
The idea of urging young politicians to declare their financial sources should have been implemented much earlier by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).
I believe corruption can be overcome if IRB agrees to a system that requires politicians to declare their sources of income, assets, be they personal or procured, designations in parties, and as well as business organisations, and allowances or remunerations received in the capacity of the party.
Recently, we heard the story of a youth leader whose assets were unusually large. As a young professional who dreams of contesting in general elections, I am delighted to know that Special Functions Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is willing to be investigated for alleged corruption.
We need more leaders with character and willingness to fight corruption. His integrity and leadership traits are examples to newly-entrusted young leaders.
Y.S. CHAN, Kuala Lumpur AMERUL AZRY ABDUL AZIZ, Logistic manager, Felcra