GO-JEK Driver in ‘Kidnap’ Video Confirmed to be Summoned by LTA Due to a Complaint

You’d have seen the GO-JEK kidnap video, and used that as a talking point during your CNY visits to siam the question of whether you’ve got a boyfriend or girlfriend.

The driver has admitted in multiple interviews that he started recording when the passenger started to use words like “kidnap” and “hostage”, as those are some serious slanderous phrases that could land him in jail.

Now, recording the footage doesn’t break the law: they can be used in his defence should the passenger decided to pursue the matter in court. However, unfortunately, posting it online is.

Here’s why.

New Law in April 2018

Last year, a new law was introduced on 9 April.

With many abusive passengers and of course passengers who evade fares, the authorities officially allowed the use of inward-facing video cameras. Passengers who die-die don’t want to be recorded cannot choose to have them turned off: they can choose to, instead, not take the taxi or private hire car.

This law was lobbied by the National Taxi Association to tackle unruly passengers and passengers who suddenly aced their shuttle run without paying.

Prior to that, the rules are rather…ambiguous. There’s no such rule, but filming anyone without permission is technically against the law.

So, if a new rule has allowed in-ward facing camera, our dear Abang GO-JEK driver should be fine, right?

But no.

Because on 22 June 2018, the rules were then set in stone.

Rules That Come with the Rules

Filming your passenger is okay, but what you do with the footage is a whole new story altogether: there are strict regulations on that.

Firstly, the passengers, should they request, can view the footage.

Secondly, there must be a notice in the car to inform the passengers that they’re being recorded.

And thirdly, which is the most important part of the rules, is that the footage must be used only for official investigations. Drivers are not allowed to post the videos on social media.

LTA has a page that lists down the “restrictions on access to footage”, and in a point, it specifically speaks about this:

There will be restricted access to the footage recorded by inward-facing IVRDs. Government agencies and LTA-authorised data controllers will be allowed to access the footage to support investigations and enforcement efforts e.g. cases of fare evasion by commuters, or alleged offences by the driver. The data controllers will be required to follow stringent guidelines including requirements such as putting in place proper safeguards on the storage and access to the footage and ensuring that only authorised personnel have access to the footage.

Under the Road Traffic Act, these are the penalties for private-hire car or taxis:

• A fine up to $1,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or both upon conviction. In the case of a second or subsequent offence, a fine up to $2,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both upon conviction.
• For taxi and PHC drivers – 21 demerit points, which may lead to the revocation of the driver’s vocational licence under the Chauffeured Private Hire Car and Taxi Driver’s Vocational Licence Demerit Points System.

Yes, we’re talking about a jail term.

But read on, because LTA doesn’t seem to be acting based on the rules. They actually acted on a complaint.

Confirmed: Abang Summoned for Interview

Yesterday night, as many of us were enjoying our reunion dinner, the driver posted an image to the same group that started his viral journey.

And it received over 1K Shares in less than 24 hours.

It’s a letter from LTA.

Lest you can’t read:

NOTICE TO ATTEND INTERVIEW

A complaint has been filed against you, the driver-in-charge of Private hire chauffeur vehicle, SLE<BLANK>. The complaint concerns an incident on dated 29 January 2019 at 7:00 a.m.

2. We are now investigating the matter. As part of the investigation, you, as the driver at the time of the incident, is required to attend an interview with me on 7 February 2019 and 10:00 a.m. at the Land Transport Authority, Bus Licensing Division, No. 10 Sin Min Drive, Singapore 575701.
3. Please bring along your NRIC, vocational licence and driving licence. In addition, you are required to bring along the recording device, its recording and any other evidence for the interview. Please show this letter to our Reception Counter for a queue ticket.
4. Please note that your attendance at the interview is compulsory under Rule 18 of Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Vocational Licences and Conduct of Drivers, Conductors and Passengers Rules)

The letter, dated 4 February 2019, is signed off by an assistant manager (investigation and appeal) of the Bus Licensing Division.

Now, if you’re have realised, it mentioned specifically that “a complaint has been filed against you.”

So, is it the passenger who complained, or some social justice warrior?

The driver is apparently holidaying in Malaysia (his son sent him the image). In the post, he added this:

At last here it come. Just pray for me. Pls dont bother that girl anymore. When some1 never learn the 1st mistake …some 1 will make more mistake.

Well, seems like he knew it was coming.

GO-JEK Aware of Investigations

Straits Times has contacted GO-JEK for comments, and they knew about the investigations and are cooperating with LTA. However, they can’t comment further.

Not sure about you, but if GO-JEK managed to save Abang (if he ever gets into any trouble, that is), that would have been a large PR win.

Nevertheless, Abang has said that he would be going for the interview and might consult a lawyer (hello GO-JEK, you reading this?).

Straits Times Spoke to the Passenger

For some reason, when everyone’s going for the passenger’s blood (which, for obvious reason, isn’t recommended), Straits Times managed to contact her.

She’s apparently in Taiwan and did not make a police report, though she is “thinking about it”. So far, GO-JEK has not contacted her.

And the news of the day? She did not say if she was the one who filed the complaint with LTA.