KIA taxi drivers submit memorandum to CM

KUCHING: About 200 taxi drivers gathered at the compound of the old State Legislative Assembly building in Petra Jaya here today to submit a memorandum in protest of the "unfair" competition between the service of Uber and GrabCar and their service.
The group spokesman Abdul Rahman Ahmad said the memorandum was addressed to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, appealing to him for a "fair and healthy" competition so that their livelihood was not affected by the alternative service.
"There are many things that are unfair, taxi drivers are subject to various conditions and charges for picking up passengers while GrabCar and Uber drivers are given a lot of flexibility," said Abdul Rahman, who is also Kuching Division Bumiputera Taxi Association vice president, when contacted here.
Abdul Rahman said the memorandum was handed over to the Chief Minister's private secretary, Ahmad Hazlan Ismawi.
Their action had affected the taxi service at the Kuching International Airport (KIA) here today when they collectively refused to pick up passengers but agreed to resume operations at 6pm.
He said a dialogue session was also expected to be held between the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board, KIA management and taxi drivers on Friday.
Meanwhile KIA senior manager Mohd Nidzam Hashim, in a statement issued by Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd today, said airport operations and flight schedules were not affected by today's incident and passengers could seek assistance from airport staff should they needed information in alternative transport. — Bernama