The government has finally legalised e-hailing services with amendments under the Land Public Transport Act 2010 and Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987 passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.
But there’s a condition.
According to a report by New Straits Times, operators must own an intermediation business licence issued by a regulatory body, which are the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) in peninsular Malaysia and the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) in Sabah and Sarawak.
The licences are renewable but cannot be transferred or reassigned.
E-hailing services will be supervised by SPAD as well as adhere to the same rules and regulations as conventional taxis.
The regulations include mandatory medical check-ups, periodic vehicle inspections, insurance requirements and drivers’ identification card.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said that e-hailing service providers should also be responsible for providing drivers with car insurance, which also covers the passengers.
The amendments also make it an offence to assault, hinder or obstruct any person involved in e-hailing services. Those who are found guilty could face a fine of RM1,000, a maximum jail time of three months, or both.
Should there be any complaint from the drivers or consumers regarding e-hailing services, they can be directed to SPAD.
The government hopes to kick start the new amendments within one year following the gazetting.