KUALA LUMPUR, 13 July 2018: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) welcomes the announcement by Transport Minister Anthony Loke that regulations for the e-hailing industry will be implemented from July 12.
MATTA President Datuk Tan Kok Liang says “The move will make the playing field more level between taxi and e-hailing industries, and also tourist transport operators that have been impacted since the introduction of Uber to our country in 2014. The issue of unlicensed transport operators then was left unaddressed by the authorities for two years.”
“In August 2016, the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) unveiled the Taxi Industry Transformation Plan, which included amendments for the Land Public Transport (LPT) Act 2010 to make it mandatory for e-hailing companies to be incorporated in Malaysia, drivers to have a Drivers’ Card and vehicles to pass road worthiness inspections. In July 2017, amendments to the Land Public Transport (LPT) Act 2010 and the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) Act 1987 were passed in the Dewan Rakyat.”
“On July 11, 2018, our new Transport Minister announced that all drivers must possess a public service vehicle (PSV) licence, screened for criminal records and passed medical examinations. The e-hailing industry has been given a one-year grace period from July 12 before enforcement is carried out.”
“MATTA strongly believes however that this compliance requirement can and should be enforced sooner.”
“The authorities should focus on unlicensed transport operators rather than pick on minor infringements by licensed operators. These illegal operators, who openly mock the law, are detrimental to our nation’s economy, give the country a bad name and put passengers at risk. Such illegal operators are prevalent nationwide and many major airports; the authorities seem powerless in stopping these illegal operators who have flourished unchecked. This also applies to similar service providers operating online seemingly beyond the reach of the law.”
“We are aware that the road transport industry is saddled with many problems over the past decades, which would take much time and political will to solve. MATTA is eager to work closely with the Ministry of Transport to address issues concerning tourist transport, such as issuance and renewal of vehicle permits, enforcement on errant and unlicensed operators, and upgrading of vehicles to cater for high-end tourists”, concluded Tan.
DATUK TAN KOK LIANG
President MATTA
Term 2017 - 2019