Isa is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the purchase of two hotels. He was remanded for five days for investigations.

Persatuan Transformasi Pemandu Teksi Malaysia (Pers1m) head Kamarudin Mohd Hussain said taxi drivers need someone with a public transport background to head SPAD.

“We do not need a politically-linked person.

“We are recommending that former Road Transport Department director-general Ismail Ahmad be appointed. He is from the transport industry and knows the problems well.

“He knows all about roads and taxis. We hope Najib Razak (the prime minister) will look into the matter,” he told FMT.

Kamarudin said Pers1m would be happy to deal with someone who understands the daily issues faced by taxi drivers.

He was commenting on the statement by minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri who said Isa, the former chairman of Felda, would remain as acting chairman of SPAD.

She said Isa’s position should not be questioned as he was only called by MACC to assist in investigations and no charges had been preferred against him.

Shah Alam City Car Rental Taxi Driver Association president Yazid Mohamad said it was crucial to have a person with proper transport industry knowledge to run SPAD.

“We prefer if it is not a corporate person. But rather a hands-on person who knows about the law and public transport.

“That would be better for us as there are a lot of issues we would like to bring up,” he said.

United Taxi Drivers Task Force spokesman Rosman Rahmat said he hoped there would be positive changes in SPAD, especially relating to issues faced by taxi drivers.

He said there had not been positive changes for taxi drivers who are hoping to earn a decent livelihood.

“That is why we are hoping a person with a better background would take over SPAD,” said Rosman.

In June this year, taxi drivers in the Klang Valley launched a protest against the appointment of Isa as SPAD acting chairman, saying they wanted someone “cleaner” for the post.