What is the status of the ‘motorcycle taxi service’ and GoJek in Malaysia?

Michelle Liew

September 4, 2019

The Transport Ministry in Malaysia has recently clarified its stance in this issue.

The push for ‘motorcycle taxi service’ in Malaysia has garnered nationwide attention for the past few weeks. There have been calls for motorcycle e-hailing to be provided in Malaysia. According to Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, this is an attempt to provide more convenient options for the public and to increase job opportunities.

There have been major talks to allow the operation of GoJek, an Indonesian motorcycle e-hailing company. However, nothing has yet to be confirmed. The Malaysian Transport Ministry has stated that the Cabinet has approved of the ‘motorcycle taxi service’ concept in the country. However, there is no decisive statement on any of its operations to begin.

The Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, has reiterated that Cabinet has yet to decide on whether to allow GoJek to operate here. Hence, this expels any rumours of GoJek being the sole operator.

Photo credits: Oh Media

“A lot of quarters are confused with this issue. Cabinet did not just give the green light to Gojek alone. The approval was for the motorcycle e-hailing service concept,” says Loke as quoted from The Sun Daily.

“At the moment, we are formulating the necessary legislation on how it can be implemented, the licensing aspect, requirements by riders and other matters.”

“Once that is done, any company can apply to operate here, be it Gojek or others. We also encourage local companies to get involved.”

Photo credits: Warta Ekonomi

Loke also noted that GoJek was just one of many motorcycle e-hailing companies and the ministry had in mind. It is a platform for encouraging local companies to enter the segment once the service has been legalised.

Loke also adds that the service will also need to test out before operations go underway. “We would need a trial period to test the service. To amend laws is not a small matter. Parliament has to debate on it and it involves amendments to the Land Transport Act and so on.”