Was Uber Really Declared Illegal In Malaysia?

Taxi booking service provider MyTeksi Sdn Bhd wants regulators to impose a more “level playing field” to compete with vehicle-for-hire service Uber. General manager Adelene Foo said MyTeksi welcomed healthy competition to improve the industry but wanted it “in a fairer manner”.

thestar.com.my

“We welcome competitors but on the same level playing field,” she said at a press conference to announce a US$90mil (RM342mil) funding for the company yesterday.

thestar.com.my

Uber launched a campaign telling Malaysians to make their views heard on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter by writing “I #chooseUberMY for a safe and affordable ride, @KP_JPJ, @JPJ_Malaysia and @aduanSPAD should too.”

themalaymailonline.com

The e-mail, titled Malaysia, the choice is yours stated that taxi drivers were asking the Government to protect them from competition that would improve (the public transportation) service for Malaysians and provide safer transportation for women. "Unfortunately, the government is listening to the taxi industry and ignoring the rakyat who are pleading for a safe and more reliable choice," stated the e-mail.

thestar.com.my

From October 1, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will be carrying out a nationwide crackdown on private individuals and companies providing transport services through Uber, The Star reports.

paultan.org

JPJ director-general Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad said private vehicles found providing the taxi-like services would be impounded. He said individuals or companies providing the services could also be fined between RM1,000 and RM10,000 or jailed up to a year.

thestar.com.my

“It is similar to teksi sapu or illegal taxis, and that is why we are taking action to stop it,” The Star quoted him as saying. “The public should be aware that by using private vehicles as taxis, they are not covered by any insurance should they get involved in any accident.”

paultan.org

"The public should aware that by using private vehicles as taxi, they are not covered by any insurance should they get involved in any accident," he said here Monday.

thestar.com.my

Following the backlash over its transport application, Uber said today it welcomed a chance to discuss with government officials about transport issues plaguing the Klang Valley. It said that it would also discuss with non-governmental organisations about how the innovation could transform public transport in Kuala Lumpur.

themalaysianinsider.com

The Deputy President of the Gabungan Persatuan dan Syarikat-Syarikat Teksi Semenanjung Malaysia (GABUNGAN), Datuk Mohd Alias Abdul took to the media with Executive Director of Sunlight Radio Taxi Service Sdn Bhd, Ab Jalil Maarof to try and scare Malaysians away from Uber. So we think it’s a good time to clarify a few facts:

uber.com

1. SAFETY is at the core of what we do. Our stringent process ensures that all Uber partners and their vehicles undergo a rigorous background check and thorough inspection, so when you ride with Uber, you know that you’re riding with a safe and highly qualified driver with full insurance coverage. Our technology uses unprecedented safety and accountability measures built right into the app: Driver profiles, Share my ETA, Real-time feedback, instant receipt. uber.com

2. We bring competition to an industry that hasn’t evolved in years. This competition benefits riders and drivers, and raises the safety, quality and service levels offered by the industry. uber.com

3. Uber benefits the economy by generating a new source of income for thousands of driver partners and providing expanded transport options for everyone. uber.com

4. Uber gives car owners a high quality and extremely affordable reason to be a passenger rather than drive their own vehicles. This helps reduce the number of vehicles on the congested roads of KL. uber.com

Riders in 180 cities around the world are flocking to Uber because of the safety, convenience and reliability it brings to for-hire transportation.

uber.com

The UBER mobile app transport service that connects passengers with drivers of private vehicles for hire and ride-sharing services is illegal. "This illegal service provided could be colloquially referred to as kereta sapu," he said in a press statement.

thesundaily.my

Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar (pix) said the use of private vehicles to carry fare-paying passengers is an offence under the Land Public Transport Act 2010.

thesundaily.my

SPAD findings, he said, indicate that UBER uses private vehicles as well as vehicles registered for hire-and-drive and limousine services. Vehicles registered as hire-and-drive vehicles under SPAD are not allowed to be used for taxi or limousine services.

thesundaily.my

The commission said vehicles currently used by Uber were not covered by commercial insurance and might not go through Puspakom's semi-annual inspection.

themalaysianinsider.com

Furthermore, SPAD findings on UBER indicate that some of its drivers do not have a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) driving licence and this is an offence under the Road Transport Act 1987.

thesundaily.my

SPAD added that while services provided by Uber presented a challenging issue to many public transport regulators around the world, SPAD was taking a more pragmatic approach and was ready to allow Uber's service as long as the services are provided by appropriately licensed vehicles and drivers.

themalaysianinsider.com

"Under the current regulatory scheme, among the vehicles used by UBER, only licensed limousines are eligible to offer chauffeur-driven services, and since there are 839 licensed limousines nationwide which are eligible to offer this service, the supply of vehicles and drivers should therefore not be an issue for UBER," he added.

thesundaily.my

Uber, the company offering transport service through smartphone application to customers in Malaysia, must comply with the law in providing the services said the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).

themalaysianinsider.com

"As the regulator in charge of Malaysia's land public transport, SPAD takes compliance to the law, local rules and regulations very seriously. "And while the public may be satisfied with Uber's services now, without rules and regulations, there is no guarantee that the public is protected in the long run," it said.

themalaymailonline.com

"We will not hesitate to take enforcement action on service providers who do not comply with the law," he said, adding that they will also mete out appropriate punishment on vehicle owners who violate the Land Public Transport Act 2010.

thesundaily.my

Syed Hamid also disclosed that SPAD has attempted to contact UBER by telephone and via email but to date, it has not responded or replied to SPAD.

thesundaily.my

"In an effort to reach out and ensure that Uber complies with Malaysian laws, SPAD has attempted to contact Uber by telephone and by email but to date, Uber has not responded nor replied to any of SPAD's outreach attempts," the commission said in a statement today.

themalaysianinsider.com