Services Like GrabCar And Uber Only For Licensed Vehicles, Dewan Rakyat Told

A further development in the spar between authorities and ride sharing apps had occurred yesterday when the Dewan Rakyat was told that only licensed vehicles and those with permits “would be allowed to be used the MyTeksi and Uber applications to get passengers.”

Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said that this was due to the fact the private vehicles are meant for personal use and not for generating income, which would have it fall under a commercial vehicle, writes Bernama.

PKR-Gopeng Member of Parliament Dr Lee Boon Chye questions its legality, wherein Dr Shahidan responded: "The application is widely used by taxi users and drivers and its usage is legal, but only for licensed vehicles."

Dr Shahidan continued by saying the Land Public Transport Commission were drafting a new policy to allow them to monitor taxi booking systems like those of Uber and MyTeksi through the use of smartphone applications. SPAD is also looking to into discussions with the providers of these kinds of applications.