Cabbies’ actions against Uber can affect country’s image, says SPAD chief

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — The action of several taxi drivers in stopping an Uber driver and causing a commotion while the latter was carrying a tourist as a passenger can have adverse impact to the country’s image, the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said today.

“Tourism is a very important industry for us. When they do something like, it scares people off. It affects our image,” Syed Hamid said of the incident that reportedly happened in Brickfields yesterday afternoon while the Uber driver was ferrying an Iranian passenger.

Speaking to reporters after a breaking fast event organised by SPAD here today, Syed Hamid warned taxi drivers against taking law into their own hands.

“They should not be ruled by their emotions and resort to such actions,” he said.

There have been several reports of taxi drivers getting into altercations or confronting Uber drivers, unhappy that the popularity of the ride sharing service is affecting their livelihoods.

But Syed Hamid said that taxi drivers resorting to actions such as organising strikes or blocking traffic will only make people want to use Uber more.

“The more they behave like this, the more people will use Uber and GrabCar,” he said, in stressing that the government cannot just outlaw Uber and GrabCar because of the demand for such services.

“We have to keep up with times. Uber is global. We cannot be left out,” he said.

He however stressed that SPAD is working with the government to come up with a set of rules and regulations that would apply to both taxis and Uber equally.

At the same time, Syed Hamid also advised Uber drivers against “causing anger” among taxi drivers.

“It’s okay if you want to drive or use Uber. But don’t advertise it to the whole world. This can cause anger among some people,” he said.

from Malay Mail Online | All http://ift.tt/28O7TmJ

via Mukah Pages