SPAD to act against protesting cabbies

The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) will take stern action against 33 taxi drivers identified as having participated in a demonstration in Bukit Bintang, here on Wednesday.

SPAD CEO Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal said the commission was cooperating with the police and Road Transport Department (RTD) to identify other taxi drivers who also participated in the demonstration which had caused obstruction to traffic, as well as parking at unauthorised areas to the extent of disturbing public peace.

"SPAD takes a serious view on the attitude of the cabbies and stern action such as suspending their driver's card or revoking the licence of the taxi operators concerned would be taken," he told Bernama today.

He reminded all taxi drivers as well as those driving other modes of public transport not to participate in any illegal demonstrations.

"The demonstration, which was the second staged by the Bukit Bintang taxi group, had caused a three-hour traffic jam in the area. The first demonstration took place two years ago," he said.

On Wednesday, the taxi drivers staged a demonstration as it was believed that they were not happy over enforcement issues.

In 2012, the taxi drivers protested against the introduction of the 'Go KL' free bus services which, they claimed, had affected their income especially due to the drop in the number of passengers from the tourist groups.