Anwar: Additional RM10 Million for Madani Taxi Reform

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced a fresh RM10 million allocation for the Vehicle Replacement Matching Grant Programme, aimed at assisting taxi drivers in phasing out their ageing vehicles.

Anwar, who also serves as the Finance Minister, explained that the top-up funding comes on the back of a highly enthusiastic response to the initial RM10 million earmarked for the National MADANI Taxi Reform Programme during the tabling of Budget 2026.

He further revealed that the government has struck a strategic agreement with national automaker Proton and the Transport Ministry to design a dedicated financing scheme, paving the way for taxi drivers to affordably own the new Proton S70.

“The response to the allocation announced in the Budget has been very encouraging. Given the importance of the taxi industry, I have approved an immediate additional RM10 million specifically for taxi reform,” he said during the official launch of the National MADANI Taxi Reform Programme at Dataran Merdeka today.

The launch event was also attended by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the additional funding follows the encouraging response to the initial RM10 million allocation for the National MADANI Taxi Reform Programme, announced in Budget 2026.

He said the government has also reached an agreement with Proton and the Transport Ministry to develop a dedicated financing scheme enabling taxi drivers to own the Proton S70.

“The response to the allocation announced in the Budget has been very encouraging. Given the importance of the taxi industry, I have approved an immediate additional RM10 million specifically for taxi reform,” he said at the launch of the National MADANI Taxi Reform Programme at Dataran Merdeka today.

Also present were Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

-NMT