KOTA KINABALU – The Transport Ministry (MoT) has been urged to explain in detail the restrictions on e-hailing vehicles during the current lockdown after a driver was issued with compound for taking a passenger, who was a frontliner, across districts.
Luyang assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe said that the e-hailing driver, only identified as Lai, was issued with RM5,000 compound by the police when he was sending an essential worker from Penampang to Kinarut on June 12.
“Lai said that when he arrived at the roadblock, the police did not allow him to explain or make a U-turn and leave,” Phoong said.
“They immediately issued him the fine despite the fact that he was willing to drop off his client at the roadblock.
“He tried to appeal to related authorities, but they did not pardon him,” he added.
Lai then approached the DAP’s Luyang service centre for help as a last resort,” said Phoong, who is also DAP Youth publicity secretary, in a statement today.
He said that Lai had all the required documents, including a company letter from the e-hailing company, an approval letter from MoT as well as a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence.
Lai was told by the police that the latest standard operating procedures (SOPs) restrict all public transportation across districts, Phoong said.
“However, e-hailing was never mentioned in the SOPs. E-hailing is part of the essential service, and his client was an essential worker with a Miti (International Trade and Industry Ministry) approval letter; this is unreasonable,” Phoong said.
He urged MoT to clarify the matter.
“Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong had stated earlier that e-hailing drivers only need to show their approval letter and PSV licence for them to operate normally.
“Wee even stated that anyone who receives a fine while travelling across districts can contact him directly,” Phoong said.
“I hope Wee will keep his promise and help this e-hailing driver. The state government should also provide a clear explanation on whether e-hailing drivers are allowed to cross districts or not,” he added. – The Vibes, June 19, 2021
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