PETALING JAYA, April 12 — Drivers of ride-sharing application services say they have been constantly harassed and intimidated by traditional taxi drivers.

Fearing for their safety, they spoke to Malay Mail on condition of anonymity following Sunday’s incident when a driver, said to be offering ride-sharing services, and his passengers, all foreigners, were harrased by a mob of angry taxi drivers in Bukit Bintang.

It came on the heels of two cabbie strikes in  the city on March 29 and April 8 over the inaction by authorities on competition from Uber and GrabCar. They have threatened more protests.

Like Uber driver Justin, 36, many providing such services are increasingly afraid of going to work.
Justin said he had been assaulted more than three times in the past four months.

“The cabbies will ambush me when I drop off my passengers at their destinations, mainly shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur. They will knock on my window and spew vulgarities. Even my passengers are afraid of them.

“If the taxi drivers claim their rice bowl is being affected, they should think how to improve their services instead of acting in an uncivilised manner,” he said.

He said such aggressive behaviour would only be detrimental to the taxi industry.

“Despite the risks, I am committed to this job as I, too, have bills to pay. I don’t think we are robbing anyone of their livelihood. The taxi drivers have only themselves to blame for their downfall.”

Another Uber driver Elyas, 48, said he had not lodged police reports despite intimidation by cabbies.

“They have not physically harmed me so I don’t see the need of reporting. I will do my best to keep calm and avoid adding fuel to the fire,” he said.

“They are hooligans and I don’t want to stoop to their level. Also, they are painting a bad image of themselves through their actions.”

Elyas said he would usually request passengers to sit in front. “Most do as they understand our situation.”

GrabCar driver Siva said regulating the ride-sharing industry would not help solve the problem.

“Taxi drivers are frustrated but they should ask why customers prefer us. They are unprofessional, rude and don’t use metres. Those are among the reasons why people shy away from hailing a cab. 

“They should stop creating chaos and allow the authorities to solve the issue,” he said.
Malaysian Consumers Association secretary-general Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill said cabbies should raise their grouses through proper channels instead of street protests.

“They are causing inconvenience to the people and it will only tarnish their 
reputation,” he said.

He said cabbies should see Uber and GrabCar as healthy competition and improve their service.
Malaysia Muslim Consumer Association chief Datuk Nadzim Johan said the authorities must regulate both ride-sharing and taxi services.

“The authorities must stop the wait-and-see attitude. They must be proactive and regulate the system.

“They should learn from other countries and take pre-emptive measures to avoid unwanted situations,” he said.