The founder of Big Blue Taxi Services, Shamsubahrin Ismail, told Free Malaysia Today he disagrees with the proposal to introduce such a service in Malaysia.
He says Malaysia’s cultural identity differs from Indonesia, where Gojek originates, adding that the largest Muslim country on earth has a high level of poverty and Gojek can thrive there.
He insists Malaysia should not allow Gojek because of its cultural impact.
“Are we going to allow our women to hug the Gojek riders from behind?” he says.
“Gojek in Indonesia can do because of the high poverty there,” he adds.
Malaysia’s Entrepreneur Minister Mohd Redzuan Yusof says the Cabinet today discussed the Gojek issue lengthily and gave its ‘green light’ for the project to go ahead.
He also says the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Transport Ministry are to work together on what laws need amendments or need to be created to enable this service.
Malaysia has its own homegrown startup Dego Ride which was banned by the Transport Ministry in 2017.
Dego Ride operated in Johor, employing thousands of motorists.
The Minister of Sports Syed Sadiq faced criticism from several quarters after he said he wants Gojek to enter the Malaysian market.
Critics said he is allowing a foreign firm in while the government does not allow the growth of the local startup.
In response, the minister says the government is allowing Gojek in to bring more investments in Malaysia.
He says the goal is also to create employment for youths through this new industry.
Yet, the government may face even more criticism from the taxi industry players who say they are already plagued by e-hailing services like Grab and Socar.
Focusing his attack on Syed Sadiq, Shamsubahrin says the minister wants the local youth to become ‘despatch’ riders, which he says is not a sign that they want progress for the young generation.
He said some ministers are pushing for progress with new car projects and flying cars project in Malaysia but the minister of sports is going backwards.
He insists the local youths are forced to take up jobs like ride-hailing because there are no job opportunities but these will not get them to progress. -/TISG