'Government needs stricter control on taxi drivers'

Taxi associations are calling upon the government to assert greater control over taxi companies and drivers as a way to minimise cases of drivers being involved in crime.

This follows the recent spate of rape, assault, abduction, and robberies -- by taxi drivers-- involving female passengers.

As of Tuesday, police have arrested nine suspects, including three women and several taxi drivers in relation to a gangrape case of an American expatriate, and 15 other cases of robbery and assault in the Klang Valley.

Bestari Taxi Drivers of KL Association (Bukit Bintang) president Mohamed Asharaf Yasin said that many taxi drivers are troubled and even embarrassed at the actions of some of those who drive taxis.

“What should be done is that SPAD (Land Public Transport Commission) should not tolerate this and revoke licenses at once,” said Mohamed Asharaf.

However, he said that even before the crimes occur, SPAD should begin drastically tightening the way the industry is being regulated.

This, he said, he can done by allocating more proper taxi stands, ensuring that taxi drivers wear uniforms, and having a better system to handle permits.

“There are drivers wearing jeans, slippers. There are some guidelines, but we ask them to do it, many are stubborn, that’s why the government must be stern, enforce, check these things,” he said.

Mohamed Asharaf said that taxis should also display driver’s card at the dashboard.

“Yes, it is a must. Customers want to see the faces. Yes sometimes there are those who has a permit but they rent it to others to be drivers. That’s wong. We even have foreigners driving taxis!” he said.

On whether women-only taxis was a good initiative by the government, he said that there has been cases where the women drivers are being molested and attacked.

“I suggest that we have more places where customers can buy coupons which has the number plate of the drivers and even the name and details of the driver,” he said.

Meanwhile, Meter Taxi Drivers Action Body (BBPTB) chairman Amran Jan said that a coupon system approach was not the best solution.

“There are a lot of small suggestions, but we really need an overhaul of the industry with a proper system by the government,” said Amran.

“The public can’t just blame the drivers. There are drivers being murdered even. All these affects the perception of us taxi drivers.”

He said that there was a “lack of responsibility” by SPAD as he claimed that the authority was not being strict enough when giving out permits.

“SPAD is not handling it well. By right they should be stricter on the companies they give the permits to. These companies are profit oriented and they don’t care who are the drivers who rent from them,” he said.

Amran also said that the authorities should make sure that all permits are only given to full time taxi drivers and only Malaysians.

“We can only control full timers. If there are too many part time drivers around, the whole thing will be a mess and the quality would drop. We also shouldn’t be allowing all sorts of people, including foreigners as drivers,” he said.