Taxi operators and drivers were appalled by Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir's remark that taxi drivers who cheat tourists should be shot dead as they were no different than traitors and communists.

Selangor and Federal Territory Radio Taxi Operators Association chairperson Lim Kow said today that he could not understand why the minister had made such a caustic statement.

Lim said there were other ways to deal with errant cabbies as opposed to gunning them down.

"Perhaps the authorities concerned can just suspend the licences of these errant drivers. There is no need to threaten to kill them," he said when contacted.

Lim explained that the number of cases where taxi drivers shortchanged their customers was small.

Therefore, he added that it was not right for the minister to make such a comment that humiliates all those in the profession.

Minister should use his brain

"In the first place, the minister should use his brain to think and understand the situation better before making any suggestion.

"It is not only the taxi drivers that are involved in this. Some hotels which provide transport for tourists also take a cut. He should investigate this as well," said Lim.

He clarified that the association does not condone such wrongdoings and urged the ministry to study the problem.

"There must be reasons for this to happen. The minister should understand the problems faced by taxi drivers.

"Recently, when the fuel price went up, taxi operators were not allowed to raise their fares," he added.

Lim said the situation is worse now as the government keeps issuing new taxi permits and this has made the business highly competitive.

"It is not easy to make a living as a taxi driver," he said.

Kind and honest cab drivers

Meanwhile, Siti Faradhilah Adlah, director of Comfort Corp Sdn Bhd a taxi operator in the Klang Valley also criticised the minister's harsh remark.

While acknowledging the existence of a few rotten apples, Siti said the minister should however not forget that there are a number of kind and honest taxi drivers as well.

"It is not unusual to find taxi drivers returning valuables left in the cab to their customers," she said.

Siti said such unfavourable remarks has created a negative perception about local taxi drivers among tourists.

"In reality, there are only few cases involving taxi drivers who cheat their customers. I hardly get any complaint about this," she said.

Taxi driver, Sukor Mat Isa told malaysiakini that the minister's comment showed that he only cared about tourists and not local taxi drivers.

"I am disappointed to learn that such a statement came from a senior minister.

"Of course those who have cheated their customers should be punished, but to suggest that they be shot dead, I suppose the person who said this must be out of his mind," said Sukor who has been a taxi driver for 10 years.

Yesterday, when commenting on a report that 70 percent of cab drivers were likely to take advantage of tourists, Abdul Kadir said these errant drivers should be shot dead.

The minister then stressed that he was not joking and added that he would suggest this at tomorrow's cabinet meeting.