KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 6): Newly minted Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chief executive Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah is looking for a solution to resolve issues with the online taxi services, such as Uber and GrabCar, which compete against and are more favoured compared to traditionally licensed cabbies.

Speaking to reporters today, Azharuddin looked as if he was stuck between a rock and a hard place due to public sentiments, which favour the Uber-GrabCar service; the irate taxi drivers who find them to be unfair competition; and the law he has to enforce.

"The Uber and GrabCar services are not in our legal framework. So … we need to find a new solution to this technology (and service). We are discussing the details of the matter internally with SPAD's board of directors.

"We understand the services that Uber (and GrabCar) provide. We understand the public sentiment regarding them. But our officers were working according to the law (when we raided them)," remarked Azharuddin about the recent crackdown on Uber and GrabCar taxis last month.

When it was pointed out that there were members of the legal fraternity who questioned SPAD's legal jurisdiction over their witch hunt on Uber and GrabCar, Azharuddin acknowledged that SPAD will have to hear them out.

"We will have to listen to what these guys are saying (about our legal jurisdiction). However, any public transportation service provider must work within the law," he said.

At the moment, around 100 Uber and GrabCar vehicles have been impounded by the authorities over last month's crackdown. Azharuddin said the vehicles will only be released once the respective court cases are over.

When asked about the timeframe for his solution, Azharuddin said he still needs time.

"I've only been here for 30 days, please give me a bit more time. All the cities in the world are faced with this (new) technology," said Azharuddin adding that if any new Bill or Amendment is to be tabled in Parliament, SPAD needs to discuss the matter with the Attorney General's Chambers first.

Touching on the traffic congestion charge that was mooted by Kuala Lumpur's Mayor Mohd Amin Nording Abdul Aziz in order to control traffic jams, Azharuddin said that more needs to be done first.

"We need to work with other relevant government agencies and improve our public transportation services first before we start any traffic congestion charge. We will discuss this matter with DBKL," he said.