Grab Malaysia country head Sean Goh said the company was considering various measures to ensure its drivers are fit for work.
“It was an unprecedented incident that occurred. We want our drivers to take care of their health,” he said.
Goh was responding to the sudden death of GrabCar driver Dedi Abdullah, 28, soon after he had dropped a passenger at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Jan 27.
Dedi, who is a Malaysian, is believed to have died of heart failure while in the car.
“According to a report made by KLIA, Dedi passed away due to heart failure as he had two blockages,” said Goh.
He said currently, Grab required its drivers to provide their medical information upon registration.
“They are also advised to provide updates if changes occur in their medical conditions and they are deemed unfit to drive.”
Drivers above the age of 50 are required to submit a doctor’s medical report along with the registration form.
“We can contact the doctor should we require a cross reference.”
Goh said that from the moment Grab knew about Dedi’s death, it had been in contact with his family in Indonesia.
“One of our colleagues and a driver who was close to Dedi was in the hospital throughout. Grab assisted financially for the body to be released to the family.
“We liaised with our counterparts in Indonesia to help us. Our colleagues and his relatives there received Dedi’s body at the Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar and sent the body to his family in Pinrang.”
Meanwhile, DAP Socialist Youth Political Education Bureau director Chiong Yoke Kong said GrabCar and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) had to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the driver’s death.
“This is to ensure that the interests and safety of passengers and the drivers are assured,” he said in a statement.
“An investigation into the cause of death has to be carried out — whether it was from fatigue or incessant work.
“What is GrabCar’s solution to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future?”