Penang Rapid bus drivers call off protest
Susan LoonePublished: Feb 12, 2014 9:24 AM | Updated: Feb 12, 2014 9:33 AM
A massive protest planned on the island by Rapid bus drivers, which was supposed take place at 6am today, was called off after fears spread that the protesters would be sacked.
The protest was to be held simultaneously at three places - outside the Komtar building, in Pengkalan Weld and in Tanjung Bungah.
A massive protest planned on the island by Rapid bus drivers, which was supposed take place at 6am today, was called off after fears spread that the protesters would be sacked.
The protest was to be held simultaneously at three places - outside the Komtar building, in Pengkalan Weld and in Tanjung Bungah.
Malaysiakini visited two locations - Komtar and Pengkalan Weld - and found that the protests were called off, with the bus service operating as usual.
It is learnt that the protest was to express support for 15 drivers sacked by the company, Rapid Penang Sdn Bhd, for misappropriating bus fares that the drivers collected on their routes.
Rapid bus drivers issue tickets and collect fares from passengers, and some find it a difficult task doing so.
It is also learnt that the bus drivers are lobbying the management for better remuneration as many have complained that their basic monthly salary of RM900 is too low.
Drivers make four demands
They have decided not to place their trust on the current in-house union, which they claim is subservient to the management.
Malaysiakini has seen the letter the drivers sent to the management, in which they make four demands.
The demands are for a higher basic salary, a higher working allowance, an RM200 attendance allowance and the sacking of a human resource officer of the company.
"If the demands are not met, we will go on strike," states the letter, which has been circulated among the drivers.
"If fulfilled, they will make sure no one will personally take the company money and the management can act against those who do so," the letter adds.
According to a senior company officer who did not want to be named, the management did not expect the protest to take place in the three places.
"Even the in-house union does not support this group," the source said.
Officers from Rapid Penang were present at Komtar and Pengkalan Weld this morning. Also present were several police Special Branch officers.
It is learnt that the drivers are seeking help from the Penang government to resolve their problems.
However, it is uncertain how the state can intervene in their affairs as Rapid Penang is owned by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd, a federal government-linked company.
Prasarana plans to add another 120 buses to the 350 units it currently operates in Penang, to benefit about 80,000 commuters on the island.
The protest was to be held simultaneously at three places - outside the Komtar building, in Pengkalan Weld and in Tanjung Bungah.
Malaysiakini visited two locations - Komtar and Pengkalan Weld - and found that the protests were called off, with the bus service operating as usual.
It is learnt that the protest was to express support for 15 drivers sacked by the company, Rapid Penang Sdn Bhd, for misappropriating bus fares that the drivers collected on their routes.Rapid bus drivers issue tickets and collect fares from passengers, and some find it a difficult task doing so.
It is also learnt that the bus drivers are lobbying the management for better remuneration as many have complained that their basic monthly salary of RM900 is too low.
Drivers make four demands
They have decided not to place their trust on the current in-house union, which they claim is subservient to the management.
Malaysiakini has seen the letter the drivers sent to the management, in which they make four demands.
The demands are for a higher basic salary, a higher working allowance, an RM200 attendance allowance and the sacking of a human resource officer of the company.
"If the demands are not met, we will go on strike," states the letter, which has been circulated among the drivers.
"If fulfilled, they will make sure no one will personally take the company money and the management can act against those who do so," the letter adds.
According to a senior company officer who did not want to be named, the management did not expect the protest to take place in the three places.
"Even the in-house union does not support this group," the source said.
Officers from Rapid Penang were present at Komtar and Pengkalan Weld this morning. Also present were several police Special Branch officers.
It is learnt that the drivers are seeking help from the Penang government to resolve their problems.
However, it is uncertain how the state can intervene in their affairs as Rapid Penang is owned by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd, a federal government-linked company.
Prasarana plans to add another 120 buses to the 350 units it currently operates in Penang, to benefit about 80,000 commuters on the island.
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