By Rashidah Abd Rahim
MELAKA, Oct 26 (Bernama) — The government’s one-off RM1,000 financial aid has brought welcome relief to taxi, hire car and school bus drivers in Melaka, helping them cope with rising living costs and operating expenses.
For 81-year-old taxi driver Md Nor Md Yusoh from Telok Mas, the assistance is particularly meaningful as his earnings have become increasingly uncertain due to age and competition from e-hailing services.
Md Nor, who has driven taxis for nearly 50 years, said he would spend the money carefully on daily necessities.
“These days, even earning RM20 to RM30 a day is difficult. When I was younger, I could travel outside Melaka to pick up and drop off passengers, but now my movements are limited to the state.
“I’m very happy and grateful for the RM1,000 assistance. I hope the welfare of taxi drivers will continue to be looked after,” he told Bernama after Transport Minister Anthony Loke presented the Special Financial Assistance to 283 taxi, hire car and school bus drivers at the CMI Complex Auditorium in Ayer Keroh.
Meanwhile, hire car driver Khatimah Ahmad, 67, from Bukit Baru said she would set aside the money for emergencies, particularly vehicle repairs and maintenance.
“I don’t have much to spend on, but if my car needs repairs, that’s what I’ll use the money for,” said Khatimah, who has relied on hire car driving as her sole source of income for 14 years.
She hoped similar financial assistance would continue to help drivers manage their expenses.
Taxi driver R. Jaganathan, 68, from Tampin said the contribution would help cover preparations for Deepavali next month.
“I didn’t expect to receive this much before Deepavali. It’s a relief, and I’m thankful to the government,” said Jaganathan, who has been driving taxis for a decade.
Another hire car driver, Ong Eng Fong, 48, described the assistance as an unexpected bonus and said he would save it for emergencies, particularly vehicle breakdowns.
“I travel extensively, including outside Melaka, so vehicle maintenance is essential for my safety and that of my passengers,” said Ong, who drives a Toyota Innova.
The special financial assistance forms part of the MADANI Government’s efforts to support drivers and ease their financial burden, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling Budget 2027 in Parliament on Oct 9.
— BERNAMA