Langkawi taxi operators demonstrate against Uber, GrabCar

Approximately 400 taxi operators here staged a protest against the entry of Uber and GrabCar e-hailing services in the island resort.

The demonstration which lasted about one hour in Langkawi Marble Square in Kuah was led by Langkawi Taxi Owners and Drivers Association president, Ramli Ahmad and Langkawi Taxi Association chairman Saad Mahmud.

Speaking to the media during the demonstration, Ramli said both associations had sent a memorandum of protest to several key parties, including Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, and elected representatives in Langkawi.

"The associations represent more than 1,200 taxi operators in Langkawi...do not throw sands into our rice bowl (with the introduction of Uber and GrabCar in Langkawi)," he said.

Meanwhile, Saad claimed Uber and Grabcar services is a foreign agenda brought in to threaten the taxi services operating in harmony in Langkawi all this while. -- Bernama