‘Taxi Sapu’ Business Flourishing
By Liza Mohd

Kuala Belatit - Pirate taxis are operating freely in Kuala Belait and Seria town. As the situations is getting out of hand, legitimate taxi drivers are hoping that the authorities will crack down fast on the 'taxi sapu' operators.

Hj Latip bin Serudin of the Belait Taxi Association told the Bulletin that taxi drivers in the district are helpless as illegal taxi operators approach passengers openly with their services.

Local cabbies are suffering losses since passengers opt to take the illegal taxis because of the lower fares. In addition, the legitimate taxi drivers also suffer from the ongoing problem when ferrying customers across the border to Miri.

It was told that the Miri Road Transport Department (RTD) is requesting a permit.

The letter produced by the Brunei Motor Transport Licensing Authority (BMLTA) in 2003, which allows Brunei taxi drivers to ferry passengers across the border to Miri and Limbang, is not accredited by the Sarawak authority.

Problems faced by taxi drivers in crossing the border have surfaced since 2006 and the matter according to Hj Latip remains unresolved until today.

Taxi drivers used to charge $100 from Kuala Belait taxi terminal to

Miri airport, but they are not allowed to pick any customers in Miri. Since the problem emerged, Brunei's taxis are only allowed to carry passengers up to the Sungai Tujoh border.

"The problem is putting a huge dent in our income," said Hj Latip.

Despite that, Sarawak cabbies are allowed to ferry passengers from Miri to Brunei but are not allowed to pick up customers in Brunei, in accordance to the agreement between Brunei and Sarawak authorities.

This has led to frustration among local taxi drivers who alleged that they have spotted Miri registered cabs discreetly carrying passengers from Brunei without getting caught relevant authorities at the Sungai Tujoh control border.

Consequently, people have seized the opportunity by operating illegal transportation service using cars and vans belonging to individuals.

The Belait Immigration Law Enforcement Section is also continuously monitoring the illegal operation of 'taxi sapu' by foreigners working in the country and has successfully conducted several operations at the Sungai Tujoh Control Post.

Early last month, the Miri RTD arrested four Indonesia-registered 4WD used as pirate taxis to ferry passengers from Brunei to Pontianak, Indonesia, the Borneo Post reported.

The Miri RTD stated that it is an offence for any vehicle, including those from Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia, to ferry passengers without a valid permit from the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB). Drivers and vehicle owners were slapped with RM2000 fines, the report stated.

Hj Latip claimed that the livelihood of the local cabbies has suffered because of these problems and it also contributes to the decline of taxi operations in the country. There are currently four taxis operating in KB and three in Seria.

"On behalf of all taxi association members, we are pleading for the relevant authorities to initiate steps against illegal taxis plying in the district," added Hj Latip.

He has also urge authorities to deploy officers at pick up areas such as hotels, bus and taxi terminals and town areas to prevent 'taxi sapu' operators soliciting for customers openly. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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