KUALA LUMPUR: The first day of the Dewan Rakyat sitting this morning was marred by a peaceful demonstration staged by some 200 taxi drivers outside the complex.
Free Malaysia Today news portal reported that the protest was held by Association for the Transformation of Malaysian Taxi Drivers (Persim) at Padang Merdeka to voice their disagreement over the new regulations on e-hailing services, which was announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke last week.
Persim deputy chairman Kamarudin Mohd Hussain, also known as Kamal, said the association was disappointed with Loke, who had failed to understand the real situation and struggles faced by taxi drivers in the country.
Kamal was quoted as saying that Loke did not provide any avenues or open doors for discussion on the regulation with the association.
“They had the time to meet representatives from GrabCar (e-hailing service operator) but did not held any discussion with us.
“This is not right. (Because) we (taxi drivers) are the actual industry players in the country,” said Kamal in the news report.
He added that the treatment to taxi drivers by the Pakatan Harapan government was similar to that of the previous Barisan Nasional administration.
Kamal said many taxi drivers risked losing their jobs if the present government could not solve the problem.
“We might also plan a second demonstration.
“However, we hope that this will be the last protest held as we want this to be solved soon.”