Police And JPJ To Screen Uber And Grab Drivers In The Near Future
E-hailing services will soon have to look to government agencies for approval before recruiting new drivers.
By John Lim — 31 May 2017, 10:42 AM
Following the recent case of a 26-year-old woman who suffered a miscarriage after being robbed at knifepoint by her Uber driver, the government is coming down hard on e-hailing services, particularly in the process of vetting out drivers
The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has said in a report by The Star that the vetting of drivers will soon be done by government agencies like the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and police.
SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said that with the increasing number of complaints against errant drivers, a new vetting system needs to be put in place
“It is of utmost urgency as there have been various incidents and we are getting more and more reports. We are very concerned and want the laws to be passed in Parliament as soon as possible.
"They told us that they have a good screening system in place with background checks done with the police and JPJ. Obviously, this has not been followed accordingly," he said as quoted by the English daily.
Syed Hamid also said that under the proposed amendments to the Land Transport Act 2010 and the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987, the commission would be able to ask Uber and Grab for their driver database
A thorough cross-check system that involves cross-checking the drivers' background with the police and JPJ will be put in motion. Only approved drivers will be given their badges.
The proposed amendments were tabled for first reading in Parliament back in March, and the process will continue in the house’s upcoming July sitting.