Dr M distances himself from Syed Saddiq’s boycott Foodpanda statement

(The Star) – Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir has distanced himself from Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman after the latter called for a consumer boycott against the Foodpanda delivery service for being “arrogant”.

According to Dr Mahathir, the remarks made by the Youth and Sports Minister did not represent the government’s views as the matter was not discussed by Cabinet.

“That is his opinion. He did not discuss it in Cabinet. That is not the government’s stand.

“Maybe he has a reason for that statement,” said Dr Mahathir to reporters during a press conference at Parliament lobby on Tuesday (Oct 8).

In a tweet on Tuesday (Oct 8), Syed Saddiq said consumers should take down arrogant corporations just as they can vote out elected representatives.

“Arrogance is not the solution. Only support corporations which are fair to workers and consumers,” Syed Saddiq tweeted.

Earlier this month, Foodpanda delivery riders had gone on strike against the new pay scheme implemented for riders outside the Klang Valley since Sept 30.

Foodpanda had said it will stick to its new payment scheme for its riders outside the Klang Valley for a minimum of four more weeks.

It said that initial data gathered after the implementation of the scheme on Sept 30 showed that a good proportion of the riders are earning more than before.

Under the new scheme implemented outside the Klang Valley, which covered 30% of more than 13,000 riders nationwide, the hourly rate has been removed but payment per order has been increased to between RM4.50 and RM7, compared with RM3 to RM5 previously.

Riders will also receive an extra RM1 per order for all orders between 11pm and 9am daily, and a RM100 incentive upon completing 60 hours of work a week.

In Kuala Lumpur, riders still get a base pay of RM4 per hour and between RM3 and RM5 per order and the payment per order differs according to the “batch” or performing level that the riders are in.