Ride-hailing issue becomes hot election topic

PETALING JAYA - Ride-hailing services and Grab in particular has become a hot election topic after Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic) pledged to review ride-hailing services if the coalition takes over the government.

On Monday (April 30), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak criticised Dr Mahathir for taking aim at these ride-hailing services.

"In his attempt to gain support from taxi drivers, Mahathir has pledged to review e-hailing services such as Grab if Harapan wins the general election. This is yet another evidence of how this nonagenarian refuses to adapt to the times or understand how technological advances benefit Malaysians," he said.

Earlier, Sinar Harian reported that Dr Mahathir would "menghapuskan (abolish)" the ride-hailing services.

"The problem with the Grab (services) is not just in Langkawi but the whole of Malaysia.

"Grab has caused losses for taxi drivers. But, this will be further studied so that taxi services will be fair to all parties.

"This is what we will do when we take over the government," he said during a dialogue session with Langkawi tourist drivers on Saturday (April 28).