Uber and Grabcar issue: taxi drivers taking law into own hands!

Kuala Lumpur: The Uber and Grabcar issue is facing a ferocious rage in Kuala Lumpur area. The taxi drivers in the area are taking laws in their own hands despite of several warnings given by the cops. Instead, the taxi drivers are told to lodge a police report against the Uber and Grabcar drivers.

Even the Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Tajuddin Md Isa said this to reporters when asked to comment on a viral video of taxi drivers attacking two vehicles in downtown KL last week – the vehicles running on the streets were allegedly working under the umbrella of the transportation network companies (TNC).

In response to the call by cops from direct action, taxi operators said they didn't agree with such behavior, but could not stop drivers from acting.

Big Blue Premium Taxi adviser Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail said, “Of course, we do not agree, but when people are angry, we do not know what can happen.” He also said that around 300 taxi drivers registered under the company operating in the KLCC areas had lamented that their average income had gone down by 30% over the last couple of months. Meanwhile, 500 drivers working under Silver Cab have urged SPAD to deactivate the Uber apps. This will be not only applicable on UBER but GrabCar as well, as the source said, “This is due to the limitation in using the credit cards for Uber. Once a driver is nabbed, Uber will immediately blacklist the credit card of the passenger. This hampers our operations to nab more Uber drivers. But we will also apply this method for GrabCar soon.”

In response to this, Silver Cab manager Adnan Mohamad told Bernama. “We have voiced the issue to SPAD but its response was that only the MCMC can terminate the applications.”

Interestingly, to this SPAD issued a revert message pointing out taxi drivers to focus their efforts into improving services and image instead of protesting. “Taxi drivers must find ways to improve their services such as providing a comfortable ride, be friendly and use a fare meter.”

“They need to understand that it is they who opened up the opportunity for alternative ride services to rise because of their poor services to passengers. Not only is their action against the law, but they have also created a negative perception of themselves with their gangster-like attitude,” the spokesman added.

“We don’t encourage taxi drivers to take matters to their own hands as they don’t have a legal right to do so. Each action taken must be according to the law and everyone must respect the law.”

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In between all the mayhem manifested by taxi drivers, Uber and GrabCar expressed disappointment over the incident. “We strongly condemn the use of intimidation and violence against our driver partners, including holding our driver partners to ransom by assaulting them and damaging their cars and even intimidating and threatening riders,” Leon Foong, general manager of Uber’s Malaysian chapter said.

“We are confident that the local authorities and judicial system will take note of these incidents and take immediate action against those indulging in violent and unlawful activities,” he added.

GrabCar also released a statement on the matter, saying that, “we are disappointed by the recent incidents of taxi drivers taking unilateral action against GrabCar drivers. We are concerned about the safety of our GrabCar drivers and passengers, and urge the authorities to ensure that crimes like assault, harassment and vandalism and any organization that supports such disorderly behavior, are not tolerated.”

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Both the companies offered Malaysians an alternative by releasing a statement in general, “All transport operators, whether GrabCar, taxi operators or other public transport operators, should similarly strive to provide safe rides, trusted drivers and cars in good conditions for the benefit of commuters in Malaysia.”

To the issue, Southeast Asia and India head of communication, Karun Arya also came ahead with an emergency helpline. In case of any further issue or turmoil, a distress call can be made. As a response to which, a security team will be sent to the driver's precise location.

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