KUCHING: The National MADANI Taxi Renewal Programme, which has been expanded to Sarawak, focuses on efforts to ease the operational burden of drivers, particularly involving vehicle maintenance costs and related inspection matters.
Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Hasbi Habibollah stated that the maintenance aspect is given attention through the programme because operational costs are among the main challenges faced by taxi drivers in ensuring vehicles remain in good and safe condition.
“We truly understand what they are going through. That is why this new programme includes maintenance, making it easier and assisting them to go to PUSPAKOM and so on so that it does not become an obstacle for them.
“We are trying to ease the difficulties they faced before, including maintenance,” he said.
He said this when met by the media after the National MADANI Taxi Renewal Programme at the UNIFOR Complex here on Friday.
Datuk Hasbi added that this approach not only opens up opportunities for drivers to renew their vehicles, but also provides support to help them continue operating in a more sustainable and resilient manner.
The programme also provided briefings on various facilities, incentives, financing, social protection, as well as opportunities to generate additional income for taxi, e-hailing, and rental car drivers.
In Sarawak, a total of 446 taxi drivers, 7,326 e-hailing drivers, and 170 rental car operators are registered with the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) Sarawak.
In the meantime, Datuk Hasbi said that the vehicle renewal opportunity also gives drivers the space to choose models suitable for their operational needs and respective capabilities.
He noted that the Proton S70 is among the vehicle options offered under the programme, though drivers may also consider other suitable models.
Regarding the possibility of corporate-style taxi operations in Sarawak, he said the matter needs to take into account the interests of existing taxi drivers to ensure that any changes can benefit the industry as a whole.
“If there are companies that wish to operate like in Peninsular Malaysia, I think they must involve all existing taxis and see whether this can advance our taxi industry in Sarawak,” he said.
The programme, which was attended by 150 participants comprising taxi, e-hailing, and rental car drivers, representatives of government agencies, and industry players, is a continuation of the implementation of the National MADANI Taxi Renewal Programme in Sarawak.
Also present were the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) Sarawak Chairman Michael Kong Feng Nian, Deputy Secretary of the Land Division under the Ministry of Transport Malaysia (MOT) Dr Azrin Abdul Majid, LPKP Sarawak Director Cornelia Wong Cui, Head of the Land Transport and Logistics Division MOT Chong Chi Fam, Road Transport Department (JPJ) Sarawak State Director Norizan Jili, as well as LPKP Sabah Director Dairin Unsir. — UKASnews
