cheahsoonhai

Gerakan detests rapping of American tourist by cab driver

Dr Cheah Soon Hai wants swift actions to be taken

 
 

Press statement by

Gerakan Central Bureau on Environment, Safety and Quality of Life Chairman

Dr Cheah Soon Hai

 
 

14 March 2013

 
 

Gerakan Central Bureau on Environment, Safety and Quality of Life Chairman, Dr Cheah Soon Hai detests the actions of the nabbed taxi driver who raped and robbery an American tourist on Monday.

 
 

"For the past few weeks, we have been reading news about passengers being robbed by these so-called taxi drivers. This time it has taken for a worse turn where a foreigner is being raped. It is a total disgrace to the nation in the eyes of foreigners."

 
 

Dr Cheah voiced out his concern that with more and more passengers being assaulted by taxi drivers reported by the press, the tourism industry will be most affected with this unwanted publicity.

 
 

"Since we are approaching the Visit Malaysia Year in 2014, something has to be done to curtail this problem from harming more people, locals or foreigners alike. If not, no matter how much effort the government is putting to promote the country, it will go down the drain as people are no confident of their safety over here." Dr Cheah reminded.

 
 

He pointed out that the actions will also affect income of genuine taxi drivers who only want to make an honest living. If tourists refused to use our cabs due to fear, this will surely affect the income of genuine taxi drivers.

 
 

Dr Cheah, who is also Kedah Derga state-assemblyman, added that taxi companies should increase their vigilance in monitoring the conducts of their drivers. "The SPAD should re-evaluate the system of renting cabs to individuals to also safeguard the safety of the passengers."

 
 

"I wish to also suggest that upon apprehending these so-called taxi drivers, their driving license should be cancelled and their names blacklisted to prevent them from renting cabs again."

 
 

Finally, he urged the police to step up their effort in tracing these culprits since they already have the number plates.