‘Protests show cabbies not willing to improve’
KUALA LUMPUR: The government and relevant enforcement agencies have been urged to suspend the permit and licence of taxi drivers who take part in illegal gatherings allegedly to demand justice with regard to ehailing service Grab.
Malaysian Public Transport Users Association president Ajit Johl said cabbies who organised demonstrations were giving the impression that they were not willing to improve their services.
By pointing fingers at the government, he said taxi drivers, who were once regarded as “small ambassadors” of the country, were now appearing like gangsters and trying to cover up their own failure to compete in an ever-developing market.
“Good, let them have gatherings or demonstrations because this will only prove to the rakyat and consumers that these people will never wake up from their failure in offering quality service.
“Their image is bad right now, as seen by the rakyat. So, organising demonstrations will only affect their own livelihood.
“The best way is to rise from failure and improve their services so they can regain the trust of public transport users,” he said yesterday.
Ajit was asked to comment on the gathering by Big Blue Capital (M) Sdn Bhd founder Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail, who claimed to be representing taxi drivers nationwide.
Ajit said taxi drivers should realise that the choices made by the public were driven by technological advancements and changes in the transport industry.
He said the services of e-hailing companies are transparent in terms of payment, user feedback and safety, hence making them the public’s choice.
“Previously, when cabs were needed, they (taxi drivers) were selective because they had the upper hand in the market. But all that has changed with the emergence of Grab and Uber.
“But the attitude of a majority of taxi drivers has not changed.
“They are still harsh and rude, which is reflected by how they behaved when attending the discussion with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently.
“If they can be rude to a 93year-old father figure, what more with passengers?” he said.