Uber VS Taxi: New twist as Khazanah invests in Uber

The never-ending drama between Uber and taxi operators in Malaysia took a surprising new twist earlier today, as state-owned investment arm Khazanah Nasional Berhad confirmed that it has invested indirectly in Uber. 

As reported by theSun English daily, Khazanah's director Mohd Raslan Md Sharif said the investment arm has taken an indirect interest in Uber Technologies Inc via global growth equity investment General Atlantic LLC.

Obviously unhappy about this, Klang Valley Taxi Drivers Action Committee (JKBPTLK) chairman Zailani Isa Usuludin said that he always had his suspicion of a secret deal behind Uber's presence in the country. He went on to say that he finally understands why the Finance Ministry chose to endorse Uber's services.

It was also reported by theSun that Zailani accused the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) of aiding Uber's growth and being unfair to cabbies.

Besides JKBPTLK, Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar also slammed MCMC for not taking action against ride-hailing apps such as Uber, as he believes that MCMC is responsible for cyberspace, tech and mobile app matters, which includes the Uber app.

However, theSun said that it is yet to get an official response from MCMC on this matter.