PUTRAJAYA: About 53,000 taxi, hire car and school bus drivers will receive a one-off RM1,000 aid, costing the government RM53 million.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the recipients comprised 38,000 taxi and hire car drivers and 15,000 school bus drivers.
"Overall, we estimate there are 53,000 drivers: 38,000 taxi and hire car drivers, and 15,000 school bus drivers, so RM53 million is needed," he told reporters after the launch of the Special Financial Assistance for Taxi, Hire Car and School Bus Drivers here today.
He said eligibility criteria were straightforward as drivers' details were already recorded in the Road Transport Department (RTD) and Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) databases.
"As long as he is a valid driver and has a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, we give the aid," he said, adding that drivers in Sabah and Sarawak would be verified through the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP).
Loke said drivers did not need to apply or register to receive the aid.
"We have made it easy. There is no registration process," he said.
He said the aid would be funded from revenue already collected by the government and would not depend on next year's Budget being passed by Parliament.
The RTD raised RM91.21 million from the sale of the special "H" number plate series, which was open for online bidding through the JPJeBid system from Sept 16 to 20 in conjunction with Malaysia Day.
Loke said 500 drivers were invited to the launch, where cheques and vouchers were handed out as a symbolic gesture.
The remaining recipients would receive the aid through online transfers. Those who had yet to provide their bank account details would need to update them.
He said the ministry aimed to complete payments within two to three weeks, with all drivers expected to receive the aid before Deepavali.
Asked about drivers who might be left out, Loke said they could appeal through their respective associations.
"We encourage any driver who has been left out to contact their respective associations," he said.
He said the aid was a one-off payment, while any future assistance would depend on additional revenue and approval from the Finance Minister.
On Oct 9, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced in his 2027 Budget speech that the government would provide a one-off RM1,000 aid payment to taxi, hire car and school bus drivers nationwide.
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