Concerted Efforts Needed To Get Rid Of Taxi Touts

---

 
OVER the past decades, taxi touts operated wherever there was a great demand for taxis, such as taxi stands, bus and train stations, ferry terminals and airports.
These touts could be taxi drivers, unlicensed operators or intermediaries, with varying degrees of brashness to politeness. Some looked like thugs while others may appear like a professional, wearing a jacket and tie.
In 2006, I worked as the manager for MATTA School of Tourism and the president of the association told me that he received complaints that they are people wearing lanyards with MATTA name tags operating at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
I drove there to check and found a local man wearing a jacket, tie and self-made MATTA name tag hung on a lanyard approaching passengers inside the arrival hall, which was out of bounds to the public.
Ironically, I witnessed police officers on duty that day putting up posters that read “Beware of touts”!
Ever since KLIA was first opened in 1998, it has never been able to permanently get rid of touts.
Over the years, there were reports of large groups of police officers transferred out of KLIA to address such collusion, which was gradually reduced by technology, as e-hailing services gained popularity globally.
The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is the other enforcement agency that can check and seize unlicensed vehicles used for ferrying fare-paying passengers.
Whenever enforcement officers were present not far from the exit of the airport, all drivers of licensed commercial vehicles would be in their best behaviour.
But some illegal operators would still be caught, either unaware of such operations or think they could get away with it.
Taxi drivers could also be stopped for accepting passengers introduced by touts without joining the taxi queue. It could be by chance after dropping off passengers, or they were in cahoot with touts.
Previously, there were many service counters at the KLIA arrival floor operated by various companies offering car rental, tours or hotel bookings. Enterprising staff would offer transfer services to the city, which was beyond their company’s services, pocketing the earnings without their employers’ knowledge.
On Aug 28, Transport Minister Anthony Loke launched the TTKLIA app, which offers solutions for booking, managing, and accessing transport from KLIA2, along with features like a built-in wallet, points redemption, and an AI agent called Teeko for personalised travel planning.
As for transport out of KLIA2, it would have to compete with many established e-hailing apps that travellers are already accustomed to.
But what made the news was the Bernama report with the heading “Taxi touting a betrayal of the nation, says Loke as ministry vows firm action to protect Malaysia’s image at KLIA”.

He said, “This problem tarnishes the nation’s image. Imagine tourists arriving happily, ready to travel and spend in Malaysia, but the moment they leave the airport, they get cheated—taken to Kuala Lumpur and charged RM300 to RM400 when the fare is less than RM100.
“They get angry and post their experiences on social media. In the end, our country’s image is tainted, and other tourists may hesitate to visit Malaysia.”
He disclosed that JPJ had been instructed to apprehend touts involved, including issuing summonses, seizing vehicles and bringing offenders to court.
To me, the above was a standard response, and if we continue to dish out more of the same, touts will continue to operate at KLIA and KLIA2 for another 27 years, just as they have done so for the past 27 years, with sporadic breaks in between. Just like the dismal state of road safety, political will is needed to break the impasse.

If we cannot even get rid of a small but irritating problem, it does not reflect well on our country. It would be a shame to bring this matter to the attention of the Cabinet.
I was told that one of my published letters was discussed at such a meeting, resulting in city taxis being allowed to pick up passengers from KLIA from 2013.
At our airport terminals, there is no shortage of CCTV cameras. Those monitoring them could easily capture the mugshots of touts operating there.
Several times a day, enforcement officers could easily approach and warn them to leave. But there should be no discussions, as these could lead to bribery. 
YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

---