Mohd Syahrir Abdul Aziz, the president of the Malaysian Taxi, Limousine and Rental Car Drivers and Operators Association, told FMT he was not against the idea of replacing buses with cars, but this shouldn’t be open only to Grab.
“We cannot have a monopoly. It should be open to all, including other e-hailing and taxis, and e-hailing services,” he said.
The suggestion was raised by the finance minister’s political secretary Tony Pua last week.
Persatuan Transformasi Pemandu Teksi Malaysia (PERS1M) deputy chairman Kamarudin Mohd Hussain agreed, saying it appeared as though Grab was being given special treatment.
“Why just Grab? There are other e-hailing apps. In any case, I don’t agree because bus fares are cheaper than Grab.
“This will make travelling more expensive for the lower income group. It’s just not logical,” he said to FMT.
Kamarudin, who has been vocal against e-hailing services, also criticised former prime minister Najib Razak for allowing the likes of Grab and Uber to operate in Malaysia in the first place.
“Now Pakatan Harapan faces difficulty in abolishing them because the people are used to these services,” he added.
KL Selangor Taxi Association secretary S Balakrishnan meanwhile called for a level playing field, urging the government to include taxis in any plans to replace feeder buses.
“It’s okay to replace the feeder buses, but it cannot just be Grab. The government must give the same opportunity to taxis, and the rates and app used to order the taxis must be standardised. It must be the same app.”
Since news of the government’s plan was first reported, a consumer group and disability group have criticised the idea and raised concerns over the affordability, logistics and implications of the plan.
Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman had also questioned Pua’s authority to clarify issues of national interest such as the MRT project and sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional in his capacity as a political secretary.
Syahrir likewise urged government officials outside the transport ministry to refrain from making statements on matters over which they had no jurisdiction.
He said the transport ministry was the authority on transport in the country, and called on all quarters to respect this.