RM1,000 BKKT Aid Eases Drivers’ Burden Ahead Of Deepavali, New School Year

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The one-off financial assistance of RM1,000 for taxi, rental car and school bus drivers is seen as capable of easing the recipients’ financial burden, particularly ahead of the upcoming Deepavali and the new school year. 

For Siti Maryam Samsuri, 45, a female taxi driver and single mother, the aid came at the right time to help her prepare for her children’s schooling needs.

“I plan to use the RM1,000 for my family, especially my school-going children, as there are many things that need to be bought,” she told reporters after receiving the aid at the Central Zone Special Financial Assistance for Taxi and Rental Car Drivers (BKKT) handover ceremony today.

The inaugural handover of the aid was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister. 

Siti Maryam, who has been a taxi driver for the past five years, said the assistance also made her feel appreciated as part of the workforce earning a living in the public transport sector. 

“With this assistance, I feel that everyone, across all age groups and walks of life, is being taken into consideration,” she said. 

Meanwhile, retired police officer M. Selvadurai, 64, who has been driving a taxi for 15 years, said he was touched by the government’s decision to expedite the disbursement of the aid, particularly with the Hindu community set to celebrate Deepavali soon. 

“We are touched by the assistance we have received. It will help ease the burden on taxi drivers, especially with Deepavali approaching,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Hong Soon Leong, 54, who has been a taxi driver for 12 years, said the RM1,000 assistance meant a great deal as he could use it for the maintenance of his taxi.

The father of three children aged between 16 and 21 described the assistance as a lifeline that eases his financial burden as the family’s breadwinner, while also helping him meet the needs of his wife, who has a visual impairment. 

When tabling Budget 2027, the Prime Minister announced a one-off financial assistance of RM1,000 for taxi, rental car and school bus drivers, funded by proceeds from the sale of special ‘H’ series vehicle registration numbers. 

The Road Transport Department collected RM91.2 million through the online auction of the special registration number series, held from Sept 16 to 20 in conjunction with Malaysia Day. 

The assistance is being distributed in stages, beginning today, to all taxi, rental car and school bus drivers with valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) vocational licences. The distribution is expected to be completed before Deepavali on Nov 8. 

-- BERNAMA