KUALA LUMPUR: Sixty-five per cent of netizens have opposed the government’s move to allow Indonesia’s motorcycle ride-hailing service Gojek to operate in Malaysia, as polled by the New Straits Times.
Some 2,000 Facebook users made their stance known after an online poll was opened six hours ago.
Internet user Catherine Lai, who opposed the move, said the government should focus on upgrading the current public transportation system instead of introducing the bike ride-hailing service.
"I am not talking about building more roads or flyovers, although that would also help.
"What I meant is better bus schedules for people like me. These days, buses only move when they are full and not before. So, something has to be done to address this.
“In addition, a good railway line to commute between towns would be convenient," she said.
Another netizen Puan Totoi said the country should be looking at more convenient means of transport for the massses such as the train.
"It's going to be 2020 soon. We should have more efficient modes of land transport.”
Simon Lin: "Bike riders, food delivery vehicles and dispatch workers who weave through the traffic are already making our roads a dangerous place. We even have bikers who have the habit of beating the red lights.
Netizen Soulful A Souleman said; "The move to allow Gojek to operate will increase social ills and also possibly crime towards ladies.
"It also will make our youth lazy, and settling for lesser jobs such as e-hailing bikers.
Husain Saleh said he will only agree with the move if it is initiated by a Malaysian company.
Meanwhile, Facebook users who agreed to the move opined that it would offer users an alternative mode of transport.
Low Kong Yong: “Give a chance to consumers to decide their mode of transport. Be fair to all parties. If Gojek fails, then it ends there.”
Netizen Andrew Chan said Gojek was proven effective in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore, hence it had a good chance of succeeding in Malaysia too.
“Furthermore, it will create a lot of job opportunities for locals. It’s an efficient and cheap mode of transport too.”
Michael Ngu said in cities like Jakarta and Bangkok, where roads congestion are so bad, Gojek service is a good mode of transport during peak hours.
On Wednesday, Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof said the Cabinet had given the greenlight for Gojek to operate in Malaysia.
He added the Youth and Sports Ministry, and the Transport Ministry have been tasked to discuss in detail on developing Gojek’s services in the country, in terms of rules and regulations, and also places where it should be allowed to operate