KUALA LUMPUR: Ride-sharing services such as Uber and GrabCar could be given the green light to operate legally in Malaysia if the operators fulfil certain conditions set by the government.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi said the government is currently locked in a series of final discussions with the companies, and an official announcement on the matter is expected soon.
The discussions involve not just Uber, GrabCar and the Transport Ministry but also the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).
"We are deliberating with them (the companies) to come up with the best solution," Aziz told the New Straits Times today.
Among the topics discussed so far included making it compulsory for Uber and GrabCar vehicles to undergo periodic computerised vehicle inspections by Puspakom.
The vehicles must also have insurance cover for passengers.
"Once we introduce the regulations, we will be able to better monitor the services provided," he said, stressing that the services need to be regulated.
Aziz said the government decided to organise the talks after taking note that the services were well-accepted by the younger generation.
He said the government is also drafting up the best solution for taxi drivers so that they will continue to profit. Among the measures discussed were on how to help taxi drivers save on operational costs.
At the moment, taxi drivers have to undergo Puspakom checks every six months.
A recent survey by SPAD found that more than 76 per cent of respondents said they were more comfortable using app-based services such as Uber or GrabCar.
More than 86 per cent had claimed that conventional taxis overcharged or did not use meters.
Almost 45,000 respondents took part in the survey initiated by SPAD, titled “General Perception: Taxi Services in Malaysia.”
The majority of the respondents were aged 21 to 30.