e-Kesihatan Scheme - Who Really Benefits?

Labelling the Road Transport Department (RTD)’s e-Kesihatan scheme a scam, three associations representing taxi owners and drivers today appealed to the Transport Ministry to abort its plan to implement the system.

The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Radio Taxi Operators Association, Kuala Lumpur Taxi Drivers Association and Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Taxi Owners and Drivers Association voiced their dissatisfaction over the RM85 fee which will be imposed on commercial vehicle drivers for the annual health checks.

Speaking in a press conference organised by the three associations, Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said the Klang Valley had about 60,000 taxi drivers who either own or operate an estimated 225,000 taxis.

He said they are very concerned about the implementation of the e-Kesihatan scheme which will come into force on Oct 1 because the taxi owners and drivers felt the RM85 fee is too high.

"We are already paying RM55 every six-months to undergo the various checks, including the vehicle roadworthy inspection in Puspakom. This additional RM85 will drive us out of our livelihood," said Lim Kow from the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Radio Taxi Operators Association. He fears the majority of taxi drivers, who are above their 40s, will eventually fail the annual health check as the guidelines of the scheme is still unclear.

Tan questioned whether Supremme System Sdn Bhd was professionally qualified to administer the e-Kesihatan scheme.

He took to task Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy for privatising the scheme as the annual health checks can be conducted in government hospitals.
"Maybe he has no confidence in the health facilities here, that’s why he sought treatment overseas, maybe he feared the confidentiality of his illness will be leaked," said Tan.

He added the same fear will also encompass the commercial vehicle drivers and operators, as the details of their ailments could be breached by the company appointed by the government to other interested parties.

Taxi Owners and Drivers Association secretary Hiew Pow Man said the implementation of the e-Kesihatan will affect their livelihood as there are many weaknesses in the scheme.

He said the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) also objected to the scheme because unless the doctors are registered with Supremme System, they will not be allowed to carry out medical checks. "Does this mean, we have to search for those clinics and hospitals which are registered with the company before undergoing the check," he added.

Tan said they will seek a meeting with Chan to air the feelings of the taxi owners and drivers and also called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to intervene in the issue. He said taxi drivers' associations nationwide, including the lorry, bus and other commercial vehicle owners and operators, are also planning to have further meetings to discuss the matter.

In today’s meeting, the representatives circulated pamphlets containing excerpts newspaper reports on the issue to members. (The Sun)

***** This is one of the most blatant attempts to enrich a privileged few at the expense of mostly low-income drivers. There are definitely some Umnoputeras behind this scheme who stand to make hundreds of millions of ringgit. And what does the government do? It keeps quiet and allows bloody civil servants in the JPJ to defend it!

This is the most unpopular and outrageously self-serving plan to make easy money and a large fortune for some umnoputeras, since the Indah Water Konsortium's creation to bilk billions from the right-royally screwed public. Commercial vehicle drivers should petition the Prime Minister and move the courts if the greedy bastards don't give in.
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