KUALA LUMPUR: E-hailing groups have asked the Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, to entrust the regulation of the e-hailing and upcoming p-hailing industry to those with the right expertise and infrastructure for effective governance.
Opposing the minister's assertions yesterday at the parliament session, Malaysian eHailing Alliances chief activist Jose Rizal expressed dissatisfaction, noting that Loke's recent response appeared to overlook and dismiss the concerns of e-hailing and p-hailing practitioners.
Rizal emphasised that this response preempted the prime minister's efforts to address and resolve the ongoing crisis in the industry.
"The civil economy narrative related to wages is solidified if this is Loke's stance in resolving this issue.
"Indeed, the civil economic narrative contradicts Loke's stance, meaning there are no minimum wage determinations in every economic sector, and this means that the majority of people's incomes are unlikely to increase.
"Pressure from big business groups (capitalists) will continue, besides keeping the majority of people enslaved in the modern world today."
Rizal criticised Loke's explanations in parliament yesterday, labelling them as excessively cynical and irresponsible.
He raised concerns about the minister's seemingly unserious responses, questioning how such inadequate answers could be voiced by a minister with access to comprehensive current data facilities and resources.
"Do not try to cover the weaknesses of agencies and departments responsible with such statements.
"Be realistic, go to the field yourself, and gather information directly from all parties. Not just by relying on biassed data obtained solely from operators or companies."
He then highlighted the transportation minister's failure in understanding and balancing the demands of the new e-hailing industry ecosystem.
"The issue of unreasonable and unjustifiable wage rates is a 'real' problem, not a pretence.
He then strongly pressed for an immediate roundtable conference involving all parties engaged in the e-hailing/p-hailing industry ecosystem to urgently tackle this problem.
It was reported yesterday that the government has no immediate plans to regulate e-hailing fares which includes setting the floor price per trip.
Loke said that setting the e-hailing floor price is a complex task that requires finding a balance between the needs of drivers and users.