KUALA LUMPUR: The first step to legalising e-hailing services such as Uber and Grab took place when amendments allowing for it in the Land Public Transport Act 2010 and the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987 were passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

The amendments, will also have to be passed by the Dewan Negara, obtain Royal Assent and be gazetted before they come into force.

Under the amendments, operators will be required to own an intermediation business licence issued by a regulatory body.

The intermediation business licences are renewable, but operators will not be allowed to transfer or reassign them.

The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) is the regulatory body in Peninsular Malaysia, while the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) regulates for Sabah and Sarawak.

The amendments also make it an offence for any person to assault, hinder or obstruct those involved in e-hailing services.

Those convicted may be liable to a fine of RM1,000, imprisonment not exceeding three months, or both upon conviction.