SUPP Youth Central Chairman, Tan Kai met up with Chairman of four taxi association to pass them the forms under Teksi Rakyat 1Malaysia (TR1Ma) this morning at Khoo Hung Yen Road to allow them to enjoy the benefit of getting RM520 for changing vehicle tyres.
Tan Kai in giving out the forms with his Youth members said in the last incentive exercise for the taxi, Sarawak Taxi drivers had missed out so this time, the SUPP would assist the taxi drivers in how to get their incentives. He said there was 150 forms given out this morning and there are over 500 taxi drivers in the State. "We would assist them in getting more forms," he said.
He said there are four places where the taxi drivers can go to at Sin Chiat Hin Trading Sdn Bhd at Jalan Kedandi, Tabuan Jaya, Shin Chin Tyres and Batteries Sdn Bhd at Jalan Merbau, Biawak Industrial Estate, Sunlun Sdn Bhd at Pending Commerical centre and Kim Leong Battery company at Permaisuri Road, Kuching.
Saying that most taxi drivers in Sarawak are full time taxi drivers, he said they rely heavily on tourists. "They must be thankful that under Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak, the country is peaceful to allow a good flow of tourist. If we have demonstration and protest daily in unstable condition, we would miss out on tourists coming in," he added.
Recently, the Prime Minister had announced an incentive of almost RM35 million for taxi drivers in the country under the1Malaysia People's Taxi programme for each taxi to receive a tyre subsidy voucher of RM520 to replace four tyres for a period of two years.
The types of taxis that were eligible to receive the subsidy were budget taxis, executive taxis, hire cars and airport taxis.
Earlier on, the taxi drivers had requested for Tan Kai to seek for petrol subsidies as the taxi drivers spend between RM800 to RM1,200 per month.
Sarawak Taxi Owners Association Chairman, Tay Teck Ming said previously they enjoyed the subsidised diesel but now the majority of taxi drivers are using petrol instead of diesel. He hoped that they would be able to get a subsides of 30 to 50 sen per litre.
Tan kai said he would bring up the problem to higher authority as such petrol subsidies were enjoyed by fishermen and those in the Agriculture sector.
Tan kai speaking to the taxi driver,
Tay teck ming
