More than 400 Gojek riders held a peaceful protest outside the embassy in protest against Shamsubahrin’s earlier statement, which allegedly insulted Gojek riders and Indonesia.
This was due to a recent video that went viral in Indonesia where Shamsubahrin made a statement considered derogatory to Gojek riders and Indonesia.
“This (Indonesia) is a poor country, we (Malaysia) are a rich country. If Indonesia’s youths are any good, they would not leave their country to look for a job.
“Gojek is only for the poor, like those in Jakarta,” according to the video excerpt.
Gojek rider Theresia Ismiyanti said they wanted Shamsubahrin to come to Jakarta and apologise publicly to Gojek riders.
On Aug 30, Gabungan Aksi Roda Dua Indonesia (Garda) confirmed receiving Shamsubahrin’s apology.
Garda chief Igun Wicaksono said the apology was handed over to the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta during his meeting with the embassy officers, led by the Malaysian police attache in Indonesia, Abu Bakar Yaacob.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Loke Siew Fok today made it clear that the Cabinet’s approval is for the motorcycle e-hailing service to be introduced and not for any one particular company, like Gojek, to operate the service.
He said once the framework on the service had been approved in Parliament, any company could offer the service.
“Many seem to be confused over this issue. The Cabinet has not given any approval to Gojek, but only allowed motorcycle e-hailing or motorcycle taxi services to be introduced.
“Once we have approved this service (in Parliament), any company that wants to operate must follow the framework,” he told reporters after attending the launch of a book titled “My Journey By Bus” here today.
He was responding to queries on why the Cabinet had approved a foreign company such as Gojek to operate here and not Dego Ride, a local company that was barred from operating in 2017.
Loke said Gojek was just one of many motorcycle e-hailing companies and the ministry was, in fact, encouraging local companies to enter the fray once the service has been legalised.
Gojek has been on the lips of many Malaysians lately after Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced his intention to introduce the Indonesian company’s motorcycle e-hailing service in Malaysia.
Elaborating further, Loke said once the framework was ready, the ministry would need some time to test the system.
“We would need a trial period to test the service. To amend laws is not a small matter. It has to be debated in Parliament and it involves amendments to the Land Transport Act and so on,” he said.