{
  "id": 14835082,
  "title": "‘Lega sementara’, persatuan kata RM1,000 tak cukup selamatkan industri teksi, bas sekolah",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/lega-sementara-persatuan-kata-rm1-000-tak-cukup-selamatkan-industri",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T01:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/10/16/lega-sementara-persatuan-kata-rm1-000-tak-cukup-selamatkan-industri-teksi-bas-sekolah"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The temporary RM1,000 aid provided to taxi, private hire, and school bus drivers falls short of saving the transportation industry, according to stakeholders. With 38,000 taxi and private hire drivers and 15,000 school bus drivers benefiting from this one-time payment, industry representatives urge a long-term solution to address operational costs and declining numbers of entrepreneurs. PETALING JAYA -- President of Malaysia Textile Association Kamarudin Hussain stated that the aid is insufficient compared to rising operational costs and living expenses, including RM1,350 monthly taxi rental, RM1,500 fuel, and RM200 to RM300 maintenance. \"Annual insurance costs also range from RM900 to RM2,600,\" he told FMT. He also urged the government to adjust the e-call center interest rate, which he believes is too low, causing unhealthy competition and depressing taxi drivers' earnings. Earlier, Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook said the special aid announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the 2027 Budget is a one-time payment dependent on the government's additional income if continued in the future. The aid helps 38,000 taxi and private hire drivers and 15,000 school bus drivers. Meanwhile, President of the Malaysian School Bus Unions Association Amali Munif Rahmat said the industry needs modernization to attract young people and help entrepreneurs replace old vehicles. He noted that school bus registrations have fallen from an estimated 14,000 in January 2019 to 10,744 in January 2026. \"New learner permits have not been able to match the number of entrepreneurs leaving the industry, including those who have retired and cannot continue operations. \"Financing limitations are also straining entrepreneurs in replacing old vehicles, especially when they still have private car loan balances and cannot obtain new financing,\" he added. Amali suggested the government provide easy loans through a retirement and school bus refurbishment program to allow entrepreneurs to switch to registered buses and continue their businesses for future generations.",
  "summary": "Industri teksi berdepan tekanan kos dan saingan e-panggilan manakala pengusaha bas sekolah hadapi kemerosotan jumlah bas berlesen serta kekangan pembiayaan ganti kenderaan lama.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "‘Lega sementara’, persatuan kata RM1,000 tak cukup selamatkan industri teksi, bas sekolah",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/lega-sementara-persatuan-kata-rm1-000-tak-cukup-selamatkan-industri-14836648",
        "published": "2026-10-16T01:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}