#Bajet2017: If You Are Poor, PM Najib Wants You To Drive Uber
And Putrajaya will help if you don't own a vehicle.
By Sadho Ram — 21 Oct 2016, 07:56 PM
Today, 21 October, while tabling the 2017 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has urged poor Malaysians to become ride-sharing taxi drivers, such as Uber
He recommended Malaysians, especially those in the B40 (Bottom 40) income group, who had their own vehicles to get into the ride-sharing service to earn extra income.
"To assist the B40 group, especially BR1M (Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia) recipients, to generate additional income, the government will encourage their participation as ride-sharing drivers such as Uber drivers, particularly those who own vehicles," PM cum Finance Minister Najib said while tabling Budget 2017 in Parliament today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is pictured before the tabling of Budget 2017.
Image via Saw Siow Feng/The Malay Mail OnlineHe emphasised how it could help them make extra money
"Their income could reach up to RM1,500 per month for part-time drivers working between 10 to 40 hours per week and RM4,300 if more than 40 hours per week."
And in a move that's probably going to create more tension among existing taxi drivers, who have complained that ride-sharing drivers have hurt their income, Najib also announced measures to help the poor Malaysians who do not own vehicles to become Uber drivers
Those without vehicles will be supported by Putrajaya to purchase their own vehicle.
"To those who do not own a vehicle, down payment will be made using BR1M and a rebate of RM4,000 will be provided for the purchase of Proton Iriz," PM Najib said.
However, in a budget that's full of goodies, PM Najib Razak also announced special measures to help the taxi drivers
He set aside RM60 million for their welfare, which is expected to benefit 12,000 qualified taxi drivers who have ended their leasing contract with taxi companies.
While announcing a grant of RM5,000 to taxi drivers to purchase new vehicles and obtain individual taxi permits, he also announced an insurance scheme for them.
"The government will introduce Social Security Organisation (Socso) scheme to individual taxi drivers with a monthly income up to RM3,000, with a launching grant of RM60 million. Under this scheme, the taxi drivers are required to contribute between RM157 and RM443 per annum, which is only RM13.08 per month. Should an accident occur while working, they are eligible to claim from Socso," Najib added.