KUALA LUMPUR: The eHailing Malaysia Coalition (Gem) has welcomed the government’s announcement on the reduction of RON95 petrol price and the continuation of current toll rates, calling it a positive step that offers temporary relief to gig workers.
Gem chief activist Jose Rizal said the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would slightly ease the daily cost burden faced by e-hailing and p-hailing drivers, many of whom operate on tight margins.
“Alhamdulillah, Gem welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement on the RON95 price reduction and toll rate retention. It is a positive move that brings some relief to the e-hailing and p-hailing community in dealing with daily cost pressures,” he told the New Straits Times.
Earlier, Anwar announced that toll rates for 10 highways would remain unchanged this year. The price of RON95 petrol will also be reduced to RM1.99 per litre when fuel subsidies are rationalised.
However, Jose said the impact of the government’s move remained relative and subjective, given that wage rates were still dictated by platform companies and regulated by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) under the Transport Ministry.
“To date, Apad continues to be seen as rigid and unresponsive to our many demands,” he said.
He said what the community truly needed was a structural change in wage protection, and urged the government to fast-track the tabling of the Gig Workers’ Bill 2025.
“Gem places high hopes on the Human Resources Ministry and the commitment of Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong to table the Gig Workers Bill in the upcoming Parliament sitting. We believe this can be a real game changer for the future of the gig economy and its workers,” he said.
Jose added that gig workers continued to face income instability due to a lack of formal wage protection, and called for stronger regulatory intervention to ensure fairer treatment by digital platforms.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
