"Got RM60 yesterday, no certainty today" - Cabbie

The implementation of the Movement Control Order which began today has been a bit of a disruption to businesses and service providers.

Among those who were affected by the COVID-19 outbreak are taxi drivers.

Having been severely affected by the introduction of e-hailing services previously, they are now facing more challenging obstacles.

“Before this, we had no e-hailing, we (taxi drivers) could get over RM200 in a day.

“With the introduction of e-hailing, our income was a little less. Sometimes we earned a little bit more, at other times a little less.”

“Until this time today, from 8am until now (11am), I have got nothing, not a single passenger," said taxi driver Tony Chu when met by Astro AWANI.

Chu, who has has been driving a taxi for the past 11 years, acknowledges that his life has been much more miserable by the challenges he faces.

“Yesterday, people were still working. From morning until night, I got more than RM60. I have some money to spend.

“Today I have not earned anything. How do I spend? Now (life) is very difficult. Everywhere is closed. It is very difficult in such a situation,” he said.

Like other taxi drivers, he relies heavily on foreign tourists and hopes that the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic can be addressed soon and will revive the tourism industry in the country.