Pakatan Harapan's candidate G. Rajasekaran (fourth from left) engages in a meaningful dialogue with a friendly Port Dickson taxi driver during the campaign trail.
PORT DICKSON: There should be equal treatment from the government for a subsistence allowance of RM300 and a diesel subsidy, similar to what is provided to fishermen, say taxi drivers.
The Port Dickson Taxi Drivers and Rented Car Owners Welfare Association secretary Mohd Alwi Taib said the government used to grant taxi drivers a diesel subsidy amounting to RM800 but the aid was eventually withdrawn.
"We hope the government will reconsider due to the prevailing economic slowdown, the high cost of living and the escalating competition within the industry.
"Taxi drivers are facing an increasing and heavier burden," he said after a dialogue with Pakatan Harapan’s candidate G. Rajasekaran here on Thursday (Aug 3).
Mohd Alwi said fishermen have been receiving RM300 assistance and diesel subsidies and hoped for similar support to be extended to taxi drivers.
"In the past, we had the Taxi Drivers Welfare Card, which carries a value of RM800 and can be used to purchase petrol or natural gas at Petronas stations across the country," he said.
Mohd Alwi also said despite taxis enjoying a half-price discount on highway toll fares, the toll from Port Dickson to Seremban remains at RM2.60, and taxis must pay the same rate as other cars.
"We hope the Transport Ministry and the government will address this," he said.
Its deputy president Mohana Chandran said the Port Dickson jetty has an agreement with local drivers that only taxis could enter the marina area to pick up passengers.
Pakatan Harapan's candidate G. Rajasekaran (third from left) engages in a heartfelt conversation with taxi drivers, attentively addressing their challenges.
However, he said e-hailing drivers are now entering the same area to pick up passengers and that some drivers do not use the e-hailing app, leading to issues.
"It's not that we disagree with them coming into the marina area, as long as they get the order through the e-hailing app, they can pick up and drop off.
"Some drivers also offer discounts to passengers and wait until a vehicle is full with four passengers before leaving.
"We have complained to the Road Transport Department and despite some enforcement action, some are still doing it," he said.
When asked about this, Rajasekaran said taxi drivers had expressed their problems and difficulties to him.
He said if elected, he would assist in solving the issues.
"At present, people are satisfied with the state administration. I cannot make any promises for now. All I can do is to help the needy and B40 with free medical check-ups as an ongoing service," he said.
Negri Sembilan has 36 seats up for grabs. Polling is on Aug 12.
Rajasekaran is facing Zabidi Ariffin of Perikatan Nasional for the Sri Tanjong state seat.
