PENANG, Malaysia, June 7 (UPI) -- Fuel prices have gotten so high that some Malaysian taxi drivers say they need a government subsidy to keep from raising fares.
On the island portion of Penang, Malaysia, taxi drivers are being severely affected by the run-up in gasoline prices and are asking the government to help them, a report by the Bernama news agency said Saturday.
"We are giving assurance that there will be no fare hikes, but we would appreciate it if the government could consider a subsidy for us," Abdul Malik Darus, acting president of the Penang Island Taxi/Rent Car Federation, said at a news conference. "When the fuel price increases, our total cost will increase, too. How are we suppose to survive?"
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Wednesday announced a fuel price increase of nearly 40 per cent, Bernama said.
