Taxi industry player rejects BN politician as SPAD chairperson

Any politician from BN to be appointed as the next Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairperson will present a risk to the taxi industry, an industry player claimed today.

Premium Big Blue taxi service advisor Shamsubahrin Ismail said his claim was made based on unfulfilled promises by SPAD, including a pledge to abolish the rent-for-hire system that compels drivers to pay a daily rent to companies for their taxis.

"We cannot depend on SPAD. Whoever the chairperson is, so long as it is a politician from Barisan Nasional, is a risk to the industry.

"As far as I am concerned, politicians coming from BN, it doesn't matter whether Umno, MIC, MCA or whatever... they will be very high-risk," Shamsubahrin said at a press conference in his office at Wisma Central, Kuala Lumpur, today.

He said former SPAD chairperson Syed Hamid Albar had promised to abolish the rent-for-hire system but it was instead retained in amendments passed to legalise e-hailing services in Malaysia.

"So what happened to the promises tabled as a part of the industry's transformation plan?

"We can no longer hold SPAD to its word," he claimed.

Amid controversies surrounding SPAD acting chairperson Isa Samad, Shamsubahrin speculated that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak may have plans to replace him with former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib, who rejoined Umno last Sunday.

He claimed that Najib would be compelled to reward Muhammad with a government post, in exchange for the latter’s purported role in securing Selangor for BN in the 14th general election.

"SPAD needs a new chairperson.

"The only person Najib has today is Muhammad Taib. He (also) cannot be a minister or a senator," said Shamsubahrin who reiterated that the taxi industry would reject Muhammad if he is appointed as SPAD chairperson.

"We want someone who is serious. For example, SPAD recently appointed a woman as its new chief operating officer (COO).

"This is the kind of person we want. We do not want politicians who only speak for politics," he further said.

Shamsubahrin was referring to Qamar Wan Noor, who was appointed as SPAD’s COO on Sept 5.

More funds needed for SPAD

Meanwhile, on the taxi industry's hopes for the upcoming Budget 2018, Shamsubahrin said that more funds should be allocated to increase SPAD's enforcement capabilities.

Among others, he said, SPAD currently only has around 300 enforcement officers, an inadequate number to carry out its duties throughout the country.

He also requested for more units of the federal government's Public Housing Project to be allocated to taxi drivers and their family members. - Mkini