CABINET NOD FOR GOJEK SERVICE
Minister expects firm to begin operations in two months
THE cabinet yesterday allowed Indonesia’s popular motorcycle e-hailing service, Gojek, to operate in Malaysia.
Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof, who was present at the cabinet meeting, said legislation on governing the e-hailing service had yet to be discussed.
“In principle, the cabinet today (yesterday) gave Gojek the green light to operate here.
“The Youth and Sports Ministry and the Transport Ministry have been tasked with discussing the details in developing Gojek’s service in the country in terms of rules and laws and where it should be allowed to operate.”
Redzuan said discussions between the ministries would allow more opportunities and laws to facilitate youths’ participation in the economy.
“This is also to make sure that they don’t breach existing or new laws. The two ministries will study all these aspects and bring them up to the cabinet again for approval.”
Redzuan expected Gojek to begin operations in two months following cabinet approval.
“It is not very difficult to introduce Gojek here because there are several laws in place (to monitor the operations), including geofencing. (For example) Gojek (riders) are not allowed to ply highways, which is dangerous to their safety. This (aspect) must be studied in detail.”
Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman recently expressed intention to introduce Gojek in Malaysia, saying the service would create hundreds of thousands of jobs for local motorcyclists.
Gojek, an Indonesian-based company, has operations in Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore. It has identified Malaysia, Myanmar and Cambodia in its expansion plans.
Earlier, Redzuan launched Tekun Mart Mobile, a mobile mart service that sells household products by 10 to 15 per cent cheaper than market prices.
He said the initiative was an effort by the ministry to ease the high cost of living.
The mobile mart service, which started operations in Putrajaya, Bangi, Serdang, Kajang and several areas in Kuala Lumpur, will be expanded to other states.
On a separate matter, Redzuan said he would be the “last person” to “bodek” (curry favour) Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He was responding to a claim by Rembau PKR division chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin that Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister ’s Department Fuziah Salleh had allegedly named several ministers found to have been brown-nosing the prime minister over issues concerning the rare earth plant owned by Australian miner Lynas.
“The cabinet’s decision on the matter (Lynas) has been agreed upon by all and it is final.
“I’m a minister who does not brown-nose anyone, including the prime minister. I give only constructive criticism.”