E-hailing driver groups are calling to meet with transport minister Anthony Loke in order to air their views on the regulation of the ride-hailing industry, The Star reports. The groups have met with Loke’s political secretary to prepare for the dialogue, said MCA civil society coordination bureau chief Ng Kian Nam.
The drivers’ groups, represented by Penggerak Malaysia E-Hailing Drivers Community and the Malaysia E-hailing Drivers Reunion, are aiming to meet with the transport minister on October 11, the day before the deadline for drivers to obtain their passenger service vehicle (PSV) licenses, the report said.
“We are grateful and we welcome the meeting with Loke’s political secretary, however we would like to still have a face-to-face meeting with Loke for him to personally listen to the grievances of the drivers. If the minister has the real intention of meeting our drivers, we are willing to adjust our time to suit his schedule. This is not an issue,” Ng said.
The groups are wiling to work closely with the government to provide their views and suggestions towards new regulations for the e-hailing industry, Ng said, adding that the groups’ suggestion for the setting up of an e-hailing tribunal to specifically handle complaints by e-hailing drivers has been well-received by the ministry.
Last week, the Malaysia E-Hailing Drivers Association (Mehda) stated their opposition to the RM80 fee set for the mandatory medical examination that is required for the PSV license application or renewal. A circular dated August 20 was issued by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to the health ministry and Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) on the new ruling as well as revised guidelines and changes.
Prior to this, panel clinics decided on their own charges for the medical examination, with some clinics willingly charging a lower amount to help e-hailing drivers.
“We do not see a reason for the government to set a standard price for the medical examination, especially when e-hailing fares nationwide are not even regulated. This is an unpopular and unnecessary move. Mehda calls on the government to scrap this standard price ruling and revert to the previous practice of letting clinics decide how much they want to charge,” the Mehda president urged.
Source: Read Full Article