Uber withdraws from cabbies suit against SPAD

PETALING JAYA: Ride-sharing app Uber has withdrawn as intervener in taxi drivers suit against Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).
Lawyer R. Kengadharan who represents the taxi drivers and members of the Klang Valley Taxi Drivers Action Committee, has confirmed that a letter was received from Uber Malaysia Sdn Bhd's solicitor today.
The letter dated May 30 stated that Uber Malaysia has instructed its counsel to withdraw its application for leave to intervene for the case management scheduled tomorrow.
"We have no objection. We have also sent a letter to Uber's solicitor on our request for RM5,000 in cost for Uber's withdrawal. Such withdrawal shall be without liberty to file afresh," Kenghadaran told theSun.
It is learned that the withdrawal decision by Uber was made to ensure that the civil suit by cabbies against SPAD will be, "a simple and straightforward legal process".
The suit was fixed for a case management today before High Court judge Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin.
On April 28, the parties had met Deputy Registrar Lukman Hakim Abu Bakar in his chambers.
On April 28, Abdul Aziz Lebai Milin and 101 taxi drivers from Klang Valley had objected at KL High Court to Uber's application made in March to intervene in their civil suit against SPAD.
The cabbies filed a civil suit against the commission on Dec 30, 2015, seeking the High Court to ban Uber, Grab and Blacklane.
The 102 members, including its president, Zailani Isa Usuludin are seeking for a declaration to ban Uber, Grab and Blacklane activities and operation as it is not subjected to Land Public Transport Act 2010.
They are also seeking for a permanent injunction in order that SPAD will not legalise the three operations.