Why were e-hailing drivers excluded from the RM600 government aid?

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E-hailing Drivers Excluded from RM600 Aid Due to Categorisation Discrepancy

E-hailing drivers were not included in the RM600 one-off cash aid announced by the government as part of an economic stimulus package because they were not explicitly categorised with sectors directly reliant on the tourism industry. The Malaysia E-Hailing Drivers Association (MeHDA) has expressed disappointment with this exclusion, arguing that e-hailing drivers, much like taxi drivers, are significantly impacted by the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.
Disappointment Over Categorisation

MeHDA voiced its disappointment that e-hailing drivers were not grouped with taxi drivers, tourist bus drivers, tourist guides, and registered trishaw drivers, all of whom were designated to receive the RM600 cash assistance. The association believes that e-hailing drivers serve a similar function to taxi drivers by transporting passengers nationwide, including tourists, and therefore should be recognised as similarly affected by the pandemic's economic repercussions.
Impact of Covid-19 on Livelihoods

The chairman of MeHDA, Daryl Chong, highlighted that the prevailing tendency for people to stay home due to Covid-19 directly affects the income of e-hailing drivers. He drew a parallel between e-hailing drivers and taxi drivers, stating that both groups experience a reduction in passengers, whether local or tourist, which consequently impacts their earnings. This shared vulnerability, he argued, warrants similar financial support.
Regulatory Similarities Ignored

Chong also pointed out that e-hailing drivers adhere to comparable operational regulations as taxi drivers. This includes the mandatory requirement to obtain a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence and undergo inspections at Puspakom. He indicated that approximately 100,000 e-hailing drivers nationwide have already met these licensing and inspection requirements, underscoring their professional standing and the similarity of their operating environment to that of taxi services.

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Why were e-hailing drivers excluded from the RM600 government aid?

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