KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 – Foreigners are not allowed to be taxi drivers or obtain taxi permits, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri said if any foreigner was found to be in breach of the conditions, the matter should be reported to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).
She said this when was replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Ahmad Hamzah (BN-Jasin) on whether foreigners had been issued taxi permits individually or used those held by registered taxi companies.
Replying to another supplementary question by Sim Tong Him (DAP-Kota Melaka) on enforcement carried out to tackle these issues, Nancy said SPAD conducted periodic monitoring and took stern action against foreigners or companies employing foreigners as taxi drivers.
“A Pakistani was arrested and charged in court in a case in Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur early this year.
“There were also cases involving Iranians. We do not deny the existence of such cases,” she added.
She said foreign taxi drivers could be charged for abusing taxi permits.
On taxi monopoly at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Nancy said the issue did not arise now following a new policy allowing city taxis to operate at KLIA, which had been in force since May.
“City taxis are now allowed to pick-up passengers at KLIA. The move is to prevent touts from canvassing for customers to use unregistered taxis,” she said.
– BERNAMA
