KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — The inclusion of a "panic button” in the smartphone app of ride-hailing services is one of the safety measures being recommended to operators after several passengers were robbed or harassed. 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the safety measures must be expedited to protect both riders and drivers even before the Land Public Transport Act is amended.

The amendment Bill will be debated in the parliament meeting next month. 

"We will only have legal powers to regulate and impose terms and conditions on ride-hailing service providers with the amendment,” Nancy said.

"Till then, we have to rely on these ad hoc measures. It is not ideal but we will support and push for whatever is necessary for the safety of riders and drivers.” 

Nancy said the "panic button” feature, which the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) had recommended to ride-hailing provider Uber, was one of several in the pipeline.

"The panic button is one suggestion we have requested to be implemented. Others will be related to driver screening,” she said, adding that once the amendments are made the commission would work with the police to screen prospective drivers.

"There will be no single solution. We need to introduce a holistic set of safety measures. It will also require the coordination with other enforcement authorities, including the police,” she said.

Nancy commended Uber for its quick response to safety concerns raised and for its cooperation in seeking to improve their services and interim self-regulation.

"They have made clear their concern for both their drivers and their riders,” she said, adding that talks were planned for other service providers.

Uber communications head Leigh Wong said the company was studying the recommendations and would make an announcement soon.

"We are looking into this and other safety measures. We will provide an update soonest,” he said.

"We will also be getting feedback from stateholders.”

SPAD chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah said the final form of Uber’s panic button would be decided by the company but the commission had requested a quick implementation.

"It is up to them if they want to adopt the same panic button in use by Uber India. We want such a feature added to the app and for it to be accessible and practical to use,” he said.

"And not just for Uber, we are arranging for talks with Grab and all existing ride-hailing services. We want this feature to be introduced before the law comes into force.” 

Azharuddin said the panic button feature would help reassure passengers over safety concerns after a string of recent incidents involving drivers targeting passengers. 

The commission would also push for stringent screening of drivers, including psychometric testing to determine if they were suitable for the job.

"It will be mandatory for these companies to provide driver details to us for additional background checks,” he said.

"This is important as once the amendment is approved we will have legal powers to hold them responsible for non-compliance.”