Malaysia's PM Gives $3 Million to Help Taxi Drivers Get New Cars and Better Pay

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM10 million — about $3 million — plan to help the country's taxi industry. The money will pay for brand-new cars and modern technology to help taxi drivers do their jobs better. He made the announcement on July 3 at a special event called the National Madani Taxi Rejuvenation launch. The goal is to improve the lives of taxi drivers who have struggled with low pay and old equipment for many years.

At the event, bright red sedans were shown off as the new face of Malaysian taxis. The chosen car is the Proton S70, which will now serve as the official taxi model across the country. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook and Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh also attended the launch. The new cars are meant to give taxis a fresh, modern look that passengers can feel proud to ride in.

PM Anwar said the government has worked hard to fix old problems in the taxi industry. In the past, wealthy people were allowed to own many taxi permits, which meant poor drivers had little control over their own work. The new programme stops that from happening by making sure each permit is registered directly under the driver's own name. This means drivers cannot be pushed out by rich permit owners, and their jobs are more secure.

Banks and financial institutions will help drivers pay for their new cars with low-interest loans. Anwar explained that while drivers may need to borrow money, the permit will always stay in their hands. This protects taxi drivers and their families from losing their livelihoods. The government wants drivers to feel that their work belongs to them, not to someone else.

Technology is a big part of the new plan. Anwar said that in the past, passengers paid drivers with cash in a simple way, but now drivers must use new apps on their phones to manage payments. He admitted that learning new technology can be hard, especially for older drivers. That is why he asked ministry officers to travel to taxi stands in cities like Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru to teach drivers how to use the apps.

Anwar pointed out that it would be unfair to ask drivers to spend a full day at a training centre, since that would cost them a day's pay. Instead, he wants training to come to the drivers, much like how Puspakom — Malaysia's government vehicle inspection company — now brings its services closer to drivers. He said every driver who receives a new Proton S70 must complete the new technology training programme. Learning the new tools, he said, is just as important as having the new car.

One of the most important parts of the plan is helping drivers earn more money. Right now, many taxi drivers earn around RM4,000 a month, and during slow seasons that can drop to RM2,500 or RM3,000. Anwar said that amount is simply not enough to live comfortably in Malaysia today. By cutting repair costs, service fees, and loan payments, the government believes drivers could earn between RM5,000 and RM7,000 per month.

PM Anwar also shared a personal story about taxi drivers. He remembered that when he was fired as deputy prime minister in 1998, taxi drivers were kind to him and told tourists the truth about his situation. He said this showed him how honest and hardworking taxi drivers really are. That memory, he said, made him want to fight for their rights when he became prime minister.