Local taxi company, the Big Blue Taxi Facilities Sdn Bhd, has urged the Transport Ministry not to extend the registration period for registration of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licences for e-hailing service drivers.

Its advisor Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail said the registration period until July 12 for them should not extended.

He said there were rumours that this period would be extended until January 2020.

"We urge that there should be no 'u-turn' in this matter,” he told Bernama.

In November last year, Transport Minister Anthony Loke was reported to have said that all e-hailing service drivers had until July 12 to register their PSV licences.

“If there are any who can not register on time, they (e-hailing drivers) can do so later, but they cannot provide the service until they get their licences,” Shamsubahrin said.

Shamsubahrin also urged the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) and the Transport Ministry to review insurance standards for e-hailing service drivers.

He also wanted every e-hailing service vehicle to have standard body-markings such as those used by taxis.

“We want the vehicles or colours on the vehicles to be standardised, not just paste stickers. This is because they are drivers like us (taxis) and there is no reason they should be given exemptions, including for licences and colour of vehicle,” he said.

Source: Bernama