MELAKA: The Historic Melaka City Council (MBMB) will implement new guidelines for rickshaw riders in the state to enhance the quality of their services.
MBMB Mayor Datuk Shadan Othman stated that approximately 300 registered rickshaw riders must meet the specified requirements before renewing their licenses, which will expire in December.
"All of them will also need to undergo health screenings and an interview starting in October. They will also briefed on popular tourist locations.
"The introduction of these guidelines aims to ensure their welfare while improving the quality of rickshaw services in Melaka," he told reporters at the Jonker Walk World Heritage Park, last night.
Earlier, he had attended the MBMB 2024 Stray Dogs Management Campaign, officiated by Kota Laksamana state assemblyman Low Chee Leong.
Shadan explained that these improvements were also in response to complaints and grievances from tourists regarding the rickshaw services.
"This is also to ensure that no rickshaw riders take advantage of tourists by charging arbitrary rates," he said.
Meanwhile, he said that the stray dog management campaign aims to raise awareness about the issue of stray animals and how the community can collaborate with local authorities to address it.
"During this campaign, surveys in the locality have shown a reduction in the stray dog population, an increase in licence applications, and more dog adoptions in the MBMB area.
"This indirectly helps reduce the stray dog population within the MBMB administration area and assists the local authorities in minimising complaints about disturbances caused by these strays," he said. – BERNAMA