A camera could help settle disputes faster and give a sense of security.
PETALING JAYA: E-hailing drivers have given mixed reactions to a proposal to introduce mandatory in-car cameras for ride-hailing vehicles, with some welcoming the move as a safety boost and others saying it could raise costs and deepen mistrust in the sector.
For a 32-year-old part-time driver based in Penang, Amirul Hakim, the idea is a “necessary step” but one that must be implemented carefully.
READ MORE: E-hailing drivers should not bear sole safety burden: GEM
“I actually agree because it could protect drivers too, not just passengers,” he stressed.
“Sometimes, we (drivers) face difficult situations in the car and there is no proof. Some passengers can be rude and intimidating when they raise their voice, so we worry about what they could do.
“A camera could help settle disputes faster and give a sense of security,” he said. However, he said the responsibility should not fall solely on drivers to bear the cost or manage the system.
“If it becomes mandatory, the platform should help pay for it or provide the device. “Many drivers are already struggling with fuel, maintenance and other additional costs,” he added.
He also noted that clearer rules are needed on how footage is stored and accessed.
“We do not want privacy issues or misuse of recordings. There must be strict controls.”
In contrast, full-time driver Muhd Rahman Muhd Ismail, 45, opposed the proposal, saying it risks adding pressure without addressing root causes of safety problems.
“This is just another cost being pushed onto drivers. Today cameras, tomorrow something else. But what about passenger verification or stronger enforcement from the platform?”
He argued that existing in-app safety tools are sufficient if properly enforced.
“The problem is not a lack of cameras, it is weak action when complaints are made,” he said. Muhd Rahman highlighted that mandatory recording could discourage passengers and create discomfort during trips.
“I do not think it is suitable for us either. Maybe for buses, but for private e-hailing cars it feels a bit off.
“Not everyone wants to be recorded every time they step into a car. It changes the whole experience and makes it uncomfortable for drivers and passengers.”
