“Yes, of course it needs Cabinet approval but SPAD must also secure support and ownership from the stakeholders involved and the public,” said Ideas Chief Executive Wan Saiful Wan Jan. “It would be much better if in this era of transparency and openness that SPAD publishes a white paper to outline the direction it’s taking.”

He cautioned against taking a top down approach in policy making. “All parties need to get behind SPAD’s proposals and for this to happen, they must be in the loop.”

He was commenting on the SPAD announcement, proposing reforms aimed to transform the taxi industry in Malaysia, as a step in the right direction. “If it introduces more competition and consumer choice, then it deserves public support.”

Wan Saiful said the move by SPAD, in responding to consumer feedback, could result in positive gains for consumers, provided that it was guided by the right principles.

He added that it was heartening to hear SPAD emphasize the need for solutions which would uplift the level of service quality and encourage healthy competition within the industry.

For too long, said Wan Saiful, the taxi industry model in Malaysia has proven to be resistant to change, stifled innovation, victimized individual taxi drivers, caused a deterioration in the quality of services, and resulted in stigma known the world over. “This must change,” he warned. “There are many new developments in the world of public transportation and it is important that SPAD keeps up with innovations.”

In the mean time, taxi drivers need to rise up to the challenge, he continued. “Taxi drivers cannot hide behind protectionist policies and refuse to improve.”

“Consumers want better cars and better services. “

Companies like Uber and Grab are providing what consumers demand, assured Wan Saiful.

Taxi drivers, likewise, need to start focusing on providing what consumers want because if they can’t, “they do not deserve to be protected”.