Petition set up urging for regulation of Uber services

PETALING JAYA: An online petition was started today urging the government to regulate Uber services as an alternative to the country's "broken" taxi system.
Calling itself Uber Supporter Malaysia, the group set up the petition on change.org today in an attempt to save the public transport service provider after the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) threatened to stop Uber drivers from being able to renew their road tax.
"We call on our elected representatives to take a pragmatic approach to regulating this new, improved alternative to our broken taxi system and not to give in to the voice of the taxi thugs.
"Since launching in Malaysia, Uber has already empowered public transport users with a safe and reliable alternative to one of the most notorious taxi systems in the world," it said on the petition page.
The group also pointed out that Uber has created countless job opportunities and served the public with safe and reliable rides.
It added that SPAD's move to "crush" Uber will only protect a dated and largely broken taxi system at the expense of the new transportation industry that is bringing real benefits to the ordinary citizens.
"… all simply to protect the pocket of one of the worst taxi systems in the world," it added.
The petition, which was first put up today morning, has since garnered over 1,700 signatures as of 5pm.
The petition was addressed to, among others, SPAD, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) of the Prime Minister's Department.
SPAD has impounded 44 Uber cars since October last year for offering illegal taxi services.