Malaysia to give RM1,000 one-off cash aid to taxi and bus drivers
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM1,000 one-off payment for taxi and bus drivers, to be handed out next week using proceeds from the recent H-plate auction.
At the Budget 2027 briefing, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed that the government will provide a one-time RM1,000 cash assistance to taxi and bus drivers, with distribution scheduled for the coming week. The aid is financed by the recent auction of the special “H” number-plate series, which attracted total bids of RM91.2 million and generated RM1.94 million in service fees over a five-day period in September. The highest-valued plate, “H 1”, achieved a record bid of RM10,777,777, according to the transport ministry.
While the “H” prefix has traditionally identified taxis, the road transport department (JPJ) clarified that the new series differs, as taxi registrations now combine “H” with a state code such as “HP” for Penang. Transport minister Loke Siew Fook had earlier hinted that the auction revenue would be used to help taxi and rental-car drivers across the country.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report the same aid program, but centrist coverage highlights the auction financing details and cultural timing, while right-leaning coverage presents it as a simple staged payment.
CENTER
Centrist coverage frames the aid as a government measure funded by the lucrative “H” number-plate auction and notes its timing to help Hindu drivers before Deepavali.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage frames the aid as a straightforward, staged payment to drivers financed by the auction proceeds.
The right emphasises
- One-off RM1,000 aid for roughly 38,000 taxi/hire-car operators and 15,000 school-bus drivers
- Payments will be made in stages starting Wednesday
- Funds come from the RM91 million raised by selling the special “H” registration numbers
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