Kuala Terengganu:The disbursement of a one-off RM1,000 financial aid for taxi, rental car, and school bus drivers begins today, providing much-needed relief for recipients to cover household expenses and perform overdue vehicle repairs.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ramli Mohd Don, Chairman of the Kuala Terengganu and Marang Taxi Drivers Association, emphasized the importance of this assistance for taxi drivers who earn meager daily wages. Ramli highlighted that some drivers make only RM20 a day, with many ending their shifts without any earnings. The aid is expected to benefit over 50 taxi and rental car operators in Terengganu who are facing financial difficulties.

In Marang, taxi driver Yusoff Maulad Ishak, 64, plans to spend the aid on new car tyres and groceries. Meanwhile, Mat Yasin Talib, chairman of the East Pahang Taxi and Rental Car Drivers Association, welcomed the initiative by the MADANI government, noting that it will ease the financial burden amid declining demand for taxi services.

In Kelantan, taxi driver Abdullah Awang, 71, noted that the decline in taxi popularity, due to the rise of private vehicle ownership and e-hailing services, makes the assistance critical for covering immediate needs and repairing aging vehicles.

In Selangor, Gabungan Teksi Malaysia president Kamarudin Hussain mentioned that the aid would support between 7,000 and 8,000 drivers, including those in rural areas. He stressed the need for government attention on drivers aged 50 and above and proposed initiatives such as a Malaysian Taxi Foundation and special insurance schemes.

School bus driver Azmi Abu Bakar, 56, from Kedah, expressed relief that the aid would allow him to address deferred vehicle maintenance, ensuring passenger safety.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the aid during the Budget 2027 presentation, targeting approximately 38,000 taxi and rental car drivers and 15,000 school bus drivers. Anwar attended the inaugural aid presentation ceremony for 500 drivers from the Central Zone, marking the start of the initiative's implementation.