Cabbie who charged RM950 for 10km journey tracked down, arrested
LAILI ISMAIL
New Straits Times8 October 2017
KUALA LUMPUR: A taxi driver who extorted RM950 from two Bangladeshi passengers for a 10km ride from KL Sentral to Setapak has been arrested.
In a statement issued today, the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) said its special force identified and detained the driver, believed to be in his 30s, last Thursday (Oct 5), based on a police report lodged on Sept 18.
“We have instructed the driver and the taxi operator to testify at our office. The cab has also been seized to assist in the investigation.
“The driver is being investigated under Section 75 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010, and if found guilty, he can be fined not more than RM50,000 or face imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both,” Spad said.
It added that the taxi operator involved is being investigated under Section 22 of the Act and if found guilty, can be fined at least RM1,000 but not more than RM500,000, or face imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or both.
It was reported on Oct 6 that the two victims, who had just arrived in the city centre from Kuala Terengganu via bus, were forced to pay RM950 for a 10km taxi ride.
The cabbie initially offered a rate of RM50 per person, but changed his mind when they arrived at their destination.
An argument ensued, but the victims gave in for fear of being harmed, as the driver had a wooden stick and a metal bat in the car.
