I refer to the malaysiakini report Taxi drivers ordered to pull their socks up . During the Merdeka weekend when I was in Kuala Lumpur, I did not realise that there was an unofficial strike by taxi drivers demanding higher fares. The taxi driver who ferried me from Central Market to Segambut, told me that he (and other taxi drivers) had received messages asking them not drive on that Friday and Saturday. Apparently a few taxi drivers who decided to ignore had their windscreens smashed.

On Sept 3, newspapers reported that taxi drivers were being fined between RM100 and RM300 by the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) for not adhering to a 'uniform code'. The offences, among others, include not wearing socks, not tucking in their shirts and even wearing dark brown shoes instead of black. CVLB chairman Markiman Kobiran said that the government was serious in enforcing the regulation on uniforms and that there would be a continuous crackdown on errant taxi drivers.

Clearly, CVLB has got its enforcement priorities all mixed up. The truth is that the average passenger is least bothered whether a taxi driver wears brown shoes or if he tucks in his shirt. Instead, what is important to the average passenger is that he expects the taxi driver to take him to his destination, charge the fare according to the meter with the least amount of fuss and rant. Of course, the passenger also hopes for a clean and odorless taxi and a driver with neat appearance and pleasant personality. But in Malaysia, that's asking too much.

In New York, Melbourne, London or closer home Singapore, one can flag a taxi, get in, tell the destination, be ferried to the destination and pay the fare according to the meter. It is as easy as that. Not in Malaysia. After flagging a taxi, one has to pray, ask and hope that it is not too much of a trouble for the taxi driver to ferry you to your destination. Once he agrees, you have to then agree on the fare determined by him. Only after these brief formalities are completed are you are invited into the very often weatherbeaten taxi.

In Johor Baru, one would be hard-pressed to find taxis using meters. Even if it is used, be assured that the fare on the meter is hardly ever followed. Instead, a fare which is usually higher than the meter is the norm. On weekends and on Singapore public holidays when Singaporeans flock to JB, it's a field day for taxi drivers. They simply ignore the locals and seek out the gullible Singaporeans who, because of the exchange rate, don't mind paying the silly fares demanded by the taxi drivers.

What irks most passengers is the attitude of the taxi drivers who keep demanding for taxi fare hikes but correspondingly show no sense of professionalism or have any desire to improve their image. It is always about them and their interests. The usual complaint by the taxi drivers is that they have to pay high rental charges for their taxis.

But shouldn't this be an issue between the taxi drivers and the relevant authorities including the taxi companies? Why should the passengers be the victim and be fleeced of their money? I speak with experience. In 2000, a taxi drivers association in JB appointed me as their legal advisor. Regretfully, their shenanigans disgusted me so much so that I tendered my resignation.

According to the rules, once a taxi is flagged down, the taxi driver has to take the passenger to wherever he wishes to go. Not so. Instead, it is the taxi driver who makes a considered decision whether to ferry you to the said destination.

If he decides not to, several standard excuses can be expected namely 'Tukar shif', 'On call', 'Tak pergi sana', 'Mau sembayang' or 'Mau pigi isi minyak. Lu ambik bas la'. Next comes the fare haggling. Sometimes the taxi driver tells the fare only when the passenger has got into the taxi and after being driven a few metres. Disagree and he simply drops the passenger off there and then.

If you are late about town, one would also observe the ritual of the taxis mysteriously going missing from 11.30 to midnight and only to appear after that when the midnight charges have kicked in. Observe how after midnight, droves of taxis appear and taxi drivers enthusiastically horn at you or drive close and stop close to the person standing near a sidewalk.

The reason taxi drivers are able to behave like this is simply because they know that not only that the average passenger would not be bothered to report them to the authorities but also enforcement by authorities is never continuous but instead 'seasonal'. I have made two reports against taxi drivers who overcharged me and demanded payment. After more that two years and despite numerous letters of reminders, I have yet to get a reply from CVLB about my complaints.

So instead of CVLB getting all flustered about the appearance of taxi drivers, it is advisable for them to weed out taxi drivers who do not use meters, who overcharge passengers and those who pick and choose passengers and routes. Until and unless taxi drivers hear and see of licences being revoked, taxi drivers will simply continue to fleece passengers. The CVLB and the relevant authorities should start a crackdown and haul up these taxi drivers and until this is done, it is the poor passengers who will continue to suffer.