Mohd Syahrir Abdul Aziz, the president of the Malaysian Taxi, Limousine and Rental Car Drivers and Operators Association (Petekma), made the appeal at a meeting with the Council of Eminent Persons.

He also welcomed the government’s decision to abolish the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) whose duties will be taken over by the transport ministry.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced the disbandment of SPAD together with several other government agencies after the Pakatan Harapan Cabinet’s first meeting yesterday.

Syahrir said SPAD had not entertained the pleas of taxi drivers, particularly on the issue of ride-hailing services.

“Our income is affected by the existence of Uber and Grab.

“These are companies that do not benefit taxi drivers but we have been servicing the public for a long time.”

Syahrir said the ride-hailing concept should have been adapted to benefit taxis.

He alleged the previous administration used the service to help solve the problem of jobless graduates.

“Dr Mahathir is right. The graduates study and end up becoming drivers. Why the need for Grab when taxi drivers are available?”

Syahrir said in the past, they had proposed many things to improve the taxi industry, but they were ignored by the government.

“Even though the government gave us incentives, these weren’t done properly. At times, it was one-off incentives like tyres or giving us individual permits but no loans to change vehicles.”