Can cabbies pick up roadside fares close to taxi stands?

ALL content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/can-cabbies-pick-roadside-fares-close-taxi-stands-20140429

Last Thursday evening, my wife and I waited for a cab at the Jalan Sultan taxi stand, where at least eight other people were queueing.

It was drizzling and we were relieved when we saw a few empty taxis approaching us from the junction of North Bridge Road and Jalan Sultan.

However, before the cabs reached the taxi stand, most of them were flagged down by passengers standing outside the Textile Centre.

Other taxis that dropped off passengers in front of the centre were immediately boarded by other people.

My wife and I tried to book a taxi but were unable to do so for more than 15 minutes because of the high call volume.

We managed to board a taxi only after 25 minutes of waiting.

Can the relevant authorities comment on whether it is acceptable for taxi drivers to pick up roadside fares close to taxi stands? If not, then they should deploy staff to ensure taxi drivers follow the rules.

Chua Guan Chye