KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 – The Malaysia E-Hailing Drivers Association (Mehda) has opposed the Road Transport Department’s (JPJ) decision to set the mandatory medical examination fee for e-hailing drivers at RM80.
The Star reported Mehda president Daryl Chong as saying that the association has already secured a low rate of RM20 to ease the burden of e-hailing drivers.
“In a bid to help our members nationwide, Mehda approached many clinics since May this year, requesting them to impose a minimal charge for the medical examination,” he said.
A total of 135 panel clinics nationwide had agreed to the rate of RM20 per person for Mehda members taking the medical examination. Chong said that these clinics do not make any profits from the examinations at the rate.
“We understand that the decision may be mooted to prevent overcharging but fixing a standard rate only defeats the purpose for the clinics to do good for society,” Chong stated.
“Furthermore, it also adds to the financial burden of drivers.”
Chong asked the government to allow the previous practice of letting the clinics to decide the charges.
JPJ in August issued a circular to the Ministry of Health and Malaysian Medical Association to fix a standard rate of RM80 for e-hailing drivers to do their medical examination.
The check-up is needed for the application and renewal of the public service vehicle licence.