The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has submitted a proposal that would see ride-sharing services like Uber and Grab legalised by the end of the year. The “e-hailing” proposal also includes plans to revitalise the taxi industry, and is expected to be presented in Parliament later this month.
In essence, the proposal attempts to create a level playing field between ride-sharing services and conventional taxis. This would mean obtaining a public service vehicle license and registration with SPAD for vetting purposes. Private vehicles will also be subject to the same annual Puspakom inspection as taxis; although private cars with Asean NCAP ratings will be given a priority.
A government insider revealed that the proposal would also include ways to tax Uber’s activities; as the credit card transactions have seen a massive outflow of Ringgit from the country. Naturally, it looks like the Malaysian government is looking to reduce the amount of money leaving the country due to these services.
SPAD chariman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar has said that legalising ride-sharing services would require a few laws to be amended, including the Land Public Transport Act 2010, Road Transport Act 1987 and Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. These amendments can only happen during a sitting in Parliament, which could take place either this month or in October.
Syed Hamid said that if everything goes according to plan, there will be a new dawn for the taxi industry in Malaysia. Taxi driver associations have not yet responded to the news.
[Source: The Sun]
