TAWAU: The Tawau Malay Taxi Owners/Drivers Association (Persarum) is appealing to the government to extend the lifespan of taxis from 15 years currently to 20 years.
Persarum chairman Tamrin Eraba said the appeal should be given appropriate consideration to enable the taxi owners and drivers to continue to earn a living from this service sector.
“We appeal to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz to allow taxis which are still in good condition to continue to operate even if their lifespan has exceeded 15 years.
“I understand that taxis which are more than 15 years old and which are still in good condition have been allowed to operate in Sarawak,” he told Bernama.
Tamrin said this after attending the Persarum annual general meeting, here today. The meeting was officially opened by Apas Community Development Officer, Sarman Amit Simito, representing Sabah Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan.
He said the association had already submitted the proposal on the matter to the government and hoped that a positive decision could be arrived at to ease the burden on taxi owners and drivers who were depending on the sector for a living. – Bernama