INDRIVE Malaysia has urged the government to clarify whether drivers across all licensed e-hailing platforms will have equal access to a RM160 million gig-worker support package jointly funded by the government and Grab under Budget 2027.
The ride-hailing platform said assistance for income security, vehicle maintenance, insurance and social protection should be accessible to eligible drivers regardless of which platform they use.
inDrive Malaysia Drive Operations Manager Azlan Anwar said the government’s support for gig workers was welcome, but transparent eligibility criteria were needed to ensure assistance reached drivers across the industry.
The package, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling Budget 2027 on Oct 9, will be implemented from 2027. It aims to increase the net income and improve the welfare of e-hailing drivers and p-hailing delivery workers.
The package includes higher minimum income rates, assistance with vehicle maintenance and insurance costs, and contributions to the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO).
The government estimates that median net monthly income could increase by up to RM227 for e-hailing drivers and RM100 for p-hailing delivery workers.
The Gig Workers Consultative Council is expected to finalise a minimum income rate, income formula and minimum social protection standards in early 2027.
Azlan said the government should clarify whether similar opportunities would be extended to other licensed e-hailing operators and their drivers.
“Where initiatives involve partnerships with individual platform operators, we hope similar opportunities for collaboration can be explored across the wider industry to extend support to more eligible drivers,” he remarked.
“At the same time, sustainable driver earnings should not be measured by gross income alone, but by what drivers actually take home after accounting for operating expenses such as fuel, vehicle maintenance and insurance.
“The proposed minimum earnings framework should reflect these realities while preserving the flexibility that allows Malaysians to participate in the gig economy according to their individual needs.”
The platform also welcomed Budget 2027 measures to strengthen gig workers’ long-term financial security through PERKESO and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributions.
Under the budget, the government will offer a 35% matching incentive for PERKESO contributions by e-hailing and p-hailing workers, rising to 50% if their respective platforms also contribute.
Matching EPF contributions of up to RM600 annually, capped at RM6,000 over a lifetime, will also be offered to encourage retirement savings.
“The effectiveness of these measures will depend on clear eligibility criteria, accessible contribution mechanisms and practical implementation that accommodates drivers with varying income levels, including those working part-time or across multiple platforms,” Azlan added.
He said inDrive was ready to work with the government and industry stakeholders to strengthen driver welfare, promote fair competition and preserve consumer choice.
As Malaysia moves towards a new minimum earnings framework in 2027, inDrive said inclusive support across the licensed e-hailing industry would help ensure that drivers were not disadvantaged by their choice of platform. ‒ Oct 12, 2026
Main image: NST
