TheSun reported Big Blue Taxi Service founder Shamsubahrin Ismail as saying that if he or his staff notice any Uber or Grab drivers trying to pick up passengers from the shopping mall compound, they will direct the drivers to designated alternative pick-up points nearby.

“For example, when they stop at the Ampang Mall entrance (entrance facing Jalan Ampang) to pick passengers, we will tell them to fetch their passengers at the bus stop located in Jalan Ampang, but the drop-off can still be done within the lobby compound of the mall.

“The objective is because we want to ensure the safety of those coming here and leaving, considering that there are too many vehicles crossing in the area, as well as making sure the area is traffic-free,” he was quoted as saying.

It was not stated whether this redirection was the initiative of Big Blue Taxi, or had received the approval of the Suria KLCC management.

According to Shamsubahrin, such “awareness” will continue even after the government legalises the e-hailing services, with passengers’ safety in mind.

Shamsubahrin also downplayed news reports about thousands of taxi drivers returning their vehicles to operators as they were unable to cope with competition from ride-sharing services.

He said his company, too, encountered such problems, but that the issue had been resolved “immediately” by offering drivers employment contracts with basic salaries and a 10 per cent commission of their total earnings for the month.

He added that about 30 per cent of drivers in his company were under the employment contract and earned an average of RM3,000 monthly.