Cab drivers shouldn't threaten to withdraw support for BN if alternative taxi services are approved, warned Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz.

He said the government would not bow down to pressure from any quarter.

"Don't ever threaten the government," Nazri said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

He was responding to taxi operator Big Blue Capital Sdn Bhd's adviser Shamsubahrin Ismail, who said 95 percent of the country's 75,000 taxi drivers would stop supporting BN, if the government approved the services of Uber and GrabCar.

This followed news that the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) had proposed to abolish the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence and replace it with a Spad driver’s card system.

This is part of efforts that may lead to the legalisation and regulation of Uber and GrabCar.

Nazri said the government had to take into account what the public wanted, and not just what cabbies wanted.

Uber and Grabcar are popular alternatives to taxis, which users say are more affordable and convenient compared to using taxis.

Taxi drivers have reacted negatively to the shift and loss in income, with some groups acting violently against Uber and GrabCar drivers.