KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MOTAC) has been urged to collaborate with the Road Transport Department (RTD) and the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) to seize private vehicles that are being used illegally, specifically, unlicensed vehicles used to ferry tourists around, also known as ‘white vans’.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) vice president for inbound, Datuk Tan Kok Liang, made the call for MOTAC to collaborate with RTD and RMP in its enforcement activities against white vans.
“Since MOTAC cannot seize private vehicles used illegally, collaborate with RTD and the police force as both have the powers to impound vehicles.”
Tan said this in his presentation on ‘The Effect of White Van Toward Sabah’s Tourism Industry’ at a seminar on enforcement issues in the tourism sector organized by MOTAC here yesterday attended by over 130 tourism industry players.
According to Tan, white vans are passenger vans registered to an individual or organization for private use, and are not licensed for commercial use like bas persiaran (tour bus), kereta sewa pandu (hire & drive vehicle) and taxi.
“When used for hire or reward such as tours and transfers, these services are illegal.”
He revealed that illegal tour guides and white vans probably started more than a decade ago due to a combination of factors. During that time, the Tourism Ministry had acted on foreigners operating illegal tours for their nationals, but the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) had allegedly intervened to safeguard visitors arrival figures.
“The situation soon developed into a potpourri of unlicensed businesses and illegal tour activities in Sabah.”
Tan said, these white vans usually operate at the entry and exit points, particularly at airport, as well as major hotels, budget hotels, backpacker’s lodges, unlicensed serviced apartments and tourist sites.
He said these white van operators would park at convenient spots as they wait for calls or bookings from regular contacts, who could be a licensed or a freelance tour operator, licensed or unlicensed tourist guide or hotel staff.
“The network is wide and territory vast,” he lamented.
Tan said this issue has generate a state of disorder clearly visible to industry players, tourists and the public.
“These illegal operators have disregarded the law and licensing, and evaded taxes payable such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and income tax. They portray a poor image of tourism in Sabah that black market activities can thrive here,” he said.
Customers, who unwittingly booked white vans, might encounter a no-show or be left stranded when there was enforcement.
In addition, he said, unlicensed vans were not subject to regular inspections for road worthiness and thus were less safe.
“Legal liability to passengers cover is automatically void when used for hire or reward. There is a greater risk of poor or no service, accidents and passengers unable to make a claim from motor insurance.”
Tan stressed that the authority must put a stop to these illegal operators to allow legitimate operators to compete on a level playing field.
By curbing these illegitimate operators, he said, incidents such as nasty road accidents involving many foreign tourists, missed transfers and poor quality tours could be prevented.
Tan told the industry players that the issue of illegal operators has deteriorated so badly in Langkawi that legitimate operators were surrendering their licences to operate illegally.
“In 2009, there are more than 1,000 licensed tour operators in Langkawi. Now the number has dropped to 300 or 400.”
In the Klang Valley, the Uber phone app allows passengers to book private vehicles for their transport and bypass taxis and tour operators.
“In Sabah, the situation is bad enough and will be worse if Uber starts operating here. The white vans and pirate taxis will capture the lion share with their low rates from low overheads.”
Hence, he hoped the State Government would direct the State RTD and police to exercise their powers to confiscate private vehicles used illegally.
He said full commitment was needed by all stakeholders in both public and private sectors to address this issue.
“A permanent committee is also needed to meet at least once a month to keep everyone in their toes,” Tan added.