The unnamed group will also demand the Penang government to ensure that Uber and Grab “share jobs” with them, that is, to allow the taxi drivers to pick-up commuters from selected spots.
In a WhatsApp message that has since gone viral, the group calling itself “all taxi, rental cars, and limo drivers” said they will protest in front of Komtar at 7am tomorrow to make their demands heard.
According to the message, leading the charge will be V Thasarathan, the chairman of the Uptown Penang Taxi Drivers’ Association, who will demand that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to “do something” on their behalf.
“We are severely affected by reduced trips, as everyone is using Grab and Uber. We want to demand a share of trips these people are getting,” he told FMT.
Tasharathan said the Penang government must air their concerns to the federal government to ensure their rice bowl was not affected.
It was previously reported that there are nearly 2,000 taxis and airport limousine drivers in Penang, with 300 drivers servicing the airport route.
However, another taxi drivers’ association have claimed the planned protest tomorrow was being done by a group of drivers who had “gone rogue”.
Gabungan Persatuan Pemandu Teksi dan Pemandu Kereta Sewa secretary Suhaimi Hadzri said the organisers of the protest would only cause hardship to other taxi drivers.
He said by going on strike, most of the public would assume the taxi services are not available and would choose Uber and Grab instead, thus defeating the purpose of the protest.
“We will never support such a risky protest like this. There have been no issues with ride sharing companies. We know the government is planning to legalise them and make it fair for taxi drivers as well,” Suhaimi said.
Meanwhile, Penang Airport Taxi Limousine Drivers’ Association chairman Hafizi Ahamad said it would consider taking legal action against the organisers of the protest.
He said the organisers had used their name without their consent and would severely impact their business at the airport.
“We will never support such a protest or a strike without coming to a consensus among members first.
“I would like to reiterate that the airport limo drivers have no involvement in this,” Hafizi said.