KUALA LUMPUR — The new Malaysian government should end ride-hailing services in Malaysia and focus on improving the taxi industry, said the Malaysian Taxi, Limousine and Car Rental Operators and Drivers Association on Thursday (May 24).

The association's president, Mr Mohd Shahrir Abdul Aziz, said this was one of the proposals made by the taxi group to the Council of Eminent Persons in a brief meeting on Thursday.

He added if there is still public demand for the ride-hailing services, it should be operated by the taxi drivers.

Mr Shahrir told reporters: "Our source of income has been severely affected since e-hailing services like Grab was introduced. If our quality of service was really horrendous, do something to correct us or help us improve.

"We exist but still the e-hailing services are given to businesses to handle who eventually monopolise the industry. We call for the abolishment of Grab and to give the e-hailing operations to us."

Mr Shahrir said the group also welcomed the abolition of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), which he claimed had neglected the interest of over 60,000 taxi drivers in the country over the past few years.

"All recommendations to improve the situation were completely ignored. We wrote multiple letters to SPAD and even the Ministry, but to no avail.

"SPAD was not doing its job in taking care of us (taxi drivers) and the rest of the industry, so in our eyes it does not have any purpose to resume operations," he said.

Mr Shahrir, however, said that the Council, during the meeting, reserved from giving any response to their recommendations.

"They acknowledged it but they didn't say anything," he said. MALAY MAIL