Uber victim who miscarried demands ex gratia payment within two weeks

PETALING JAYA: The victim of a Uber robbery that took place in Puchong on May 21 has agreed not to pursue legal action against the e-hailing company if the latter agrees to an ex gratia payment within two weeks.
Gerakan Selangor liaison committee chairman Datuk David Ang Chin Tat said the victim, Wong Mei Yan, 26, made the proposal to Uber during a two-hour meeting between the two parties earlier today.
"Uber came to us, and wanted to know the victim's condition, and how they can assist. So what we proposed was for settlement purpose, with an amount that has been made known to them.
"We have given them two weeks to get back to us. If they agree with the ex gratia payment, we will not pursue legal action, as had been planned initially," he told a press conference, here, today, without revealing the amount proposed.
Ang said Wong was represented by him, party legal advisers Andy Yong and Chai Ko Thing, and her husband Tiong Ting Siong in the meeting, while Uber by its communications department's Leigh Wong, marketing department head Geraldine Wong and two legal advisers.
The victim, who was over a month into her pregnancy, was robbed at knife point by her Uber driver and his accomplice during her ride home on May 21.
She subsequently suffered a miscarriage.
Ang said Wong has also asked that Uber pay up for her full medical check-up slated to take place on Thursday, after experiencing stomach cramps and fluid discharge.
In addition, he also demanded for the ride-hailing service to provide public assurance that the incident was an isolated one and will not repeat itself, and to also reveal the company's method of vetting drivers before accepting them.
"The bills pertaining to e-hailing services will only be debated in the July sitting, which is a long time away. Which is why we want them to give an assurance that it will not happen again.
"Are we going to wait for something like this to happen again before taking action?" he said.
Meanwhile, the driver, who has since been arrested and remanded, had his remand order extended today by another seven days until June 7 by the Petaling Jaya magistrate's court.