KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Oct 2017:
E-hailing service providers are delighted at the government’s support to the industry with a view to improving the overall national transport landscape.
Uber and Grab officials said they welcomed the move to empower more Malaysians to be part of the e-hailing industry, thus providing flexible earning opportunities and raising their socioeconomic status.
In tabling the 2018 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said all registered taxi drivers wishing to shift to e-hailing application would be provided with a RM5,000 grant to buy a new car.
Uber Malaysia and Singapore general manager Warren Tseng said the company is prepared to help interested individuals to meet the requirements to join the industry.
‘’We expect to apply the lessons learnt in our neighbouring market to ensure an efficient and effective transition to this new regulatory environment for our driver-partners in Malaysia,” he said in a statement.
In supporting the government’s initiative, Grab Malaysia country head Sean Goh said it would provide a level playing field in the public transport industry.
Meanwhile, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) – which will connect Port Klang to Pengkalan Kubor, Kelantan – has been welcomed as a project that can further develop Port Klang as a city and a major shipping gateway in Malaysia.
Coordinator for the Pelabuhan Klang state constituency, Datuk Nasarruddin Mohd Zin, said Port Klang, which had two major ports, required an efficient transportation system.
“In the process of handling the export and import of goods, we have to have a fast and inexpensive system of transportation to compete in the handling of merchandise.
“In addition, a network of roads is indispensable for us to remain a competitive port and enhance our position from the 11th spot in the world.”
Najib had said the construction of the ECRL project would begin in January 2018 and that the ECRL had the capacity to transport cargo and passengers within four hours.
Nasarruddin said the people anticipated a spillover of economic opportunities along the alignment.
“Exporters, importers and commercial players hope that the new transportation system will revitalise the development of Port Klang and develop the surrounding areas.”
He also said that the Light Rail Transit 3 line between Bandar Utama and Johan Setia, Klang, would also raise the socio-economic status of the people in the locality. The LRT3 is expected to be completed in February 2021.
– Bernama