Taxi Renewal Program MADANI Expands to Sabah with Proton S70

Taxi Renewal Programme MADANI: National Taxi Fleet Modernisation Reaches Sabah

The Taxi Renewal Programme MADANI (Program Pembaharuan Teksi MADANI) is a national initiative by the Malaysian Ministry of Transport (MOT) that helps registered taxi, rental car, and e-hailing drivers access vehicle financing, social protection, and additional income opportunities. The programme addresses the problem of ageing vehicles in Malaysia's public transport fleet and supports driver welfare within the broader passenger transport ecosystem. It is relevant to Malaysian drivers seeking to upgrade to safer, more modern vehicles under government-backed financing terms.

Key Facts

What Is the Taxi Renewal Programme MADANI and How Does It Work in Malaysia?

The Taxi Renewal Programme MADANI is a government-led initiative that enables taxi, rental car, and e-hailing drivers in Malaysia to replace ageing vehicles through structured financing packages and receive access to social security coverage. It was first launched in Kuala Lumpur and is being expanded state by state, with the Sabah phase held in Kota Kinabalu on 11 September 2026.

The MOT reported that more than 28,000 drivers are registered in Sabah alone, making it a key state for implementation. The programme includes direct briefings from agencies on application methods, financing packages, and driver welfare provisions. The government views taxi drivers as part of the public transport ecosystem who require attention to welfare, social protection, and livelihood continuity.

The Taxi Renewal Programme MADANI is an official MOT initiative first launched in Kuala Lumpur on 3 July 2026 and expanded to Sabah on 11 September 2026, targeting over 28,000 registered drivers in that state alone.

Which Agencies and Industry Players Support the Programme?

Several Malaysian agencies and private-sector partners are involved in the programme. The Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) provides coverage through the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (Skim Keselamatan Sosial Pekerjaan Sendiri), while LPKP Sabah handles taxi licence application processes. E-hailing platforms AirAsia Ride, Grab, and MyCar offer income-generation opportunities, and Proton Holdings Berhad provides financing packages and vehicle options under the programme.

According to the Ministry of Transport, the initiative focuses not only on replacing old vehicles but also on driver welfare, passenger safety, income sustainability, and service quality improvement.

"The initiative is not only focused on replacing old vehicles, but also covers driver welfare, passenger safety, income sustainability and improving the quality of service."

— Ministry of Transport Malaysia (MOT), via Careta

PERKESO, LPKP Sabah, AirAsia Ride, Grab, MyCar, and Proton Holdings Berhad are the official programme partners, with PERKESO providing self-employment social security coverage.

What Role Does the Proton S70 Play in the Vehicle Renewal Programme?

The Proton S70 is one of the new vehicle options offered to drivers under the Taxi Renewal Programme MADANI. The use of newer vehicles is expected to reduce maintenance requirements, improve operational efficiency, and offer modern safety features and amenities to passengers. The vehicle selection is aligned with the programme's goal of upgrading Malaysia's public transport fleet.

Replacing older vehicles is positioned as a long-term investment to improve consumer safety, protect driver wellbeing, and build public confidence in taxi services. The Proton S70, made by Malaysian manufacturer Proton Holdings Berhad, is presented as suitable for the operational needs of taxi and e-hailing drivers in Malaysia.

The Proton S70 is an officially listed vehicle option under the Taxi Renewal Programme MADANI, selected for its reduced maintenance needs and modern safety features suitable for Malaysian taxi and e-hailing operations.

Who Is This Programme For in Malaysia?

This programme is designed for active taxi drivers, rental car drivers, and e-hailing drivers operating in Malaysia, particularly those in Sabah and Sarawak. It targets drivers who need financing assistance to upgrade from older vehicles and who require social protection coverage. The programme is relevant for drivers working with platforms such as Grab, AirAsia Ride, and MyCar.

In Kota Kinabalu, the session was attended by 150 participants comprising drivers, government agency representatives, and industry players. The expansion to Sabah follows a phased national rollout plan. The MOT stated it will continue implementing the programme across all states through cooperation with regulatory agencies, PERKESO, financial institutions, automotive manufacturers, and industry partners.

The programme targets active taxi, rental car, and e-hailing drivers across Malaysia, with the Sabah session alone drawing 150 participants including drivers, government agencies, and industry representatives.

Common Questions

How can taxi drivers in Sabah apply for the Taxi Renewal Programme MADANI?

Drivers are given briefings on application methods, programme benefits, and financing packages through sessions conducted by MOT and partners such as LPKP Sabah. Direct engagement with agencies like PERKESO and e-hailing platforms allows drivers to assess options based on financial capability and operational needs.

What financing packages are available under the programme?

Proton Holdings Berhad offers financing packages and vehicle choices under the programme. The MOT also coordinates with financial institutions to ensure drivers have access to affordable financing. Specific package rates were not disclosed in the source material, so exact interest rates remain unknown.

Is the Proton S70 suitable for e-hailing and taxi use in Malaysia?

The Proton S70 is positioned as one of the new vehicle options in the programme. Its inclusion reflects expectations of lower maintenance costs, improved operational efficiency, and modern safety and comfort features. The vehicle is presented as suitable for taxi and e-hailing operations, though no performance specifications were provided in the source.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source published by Careta: "Program Pembaharuan Teksi MADANI Diperluas ke Sabah, Proton S70 Antara Pilihan Kenderaan" (11 September 2026), by Qalif Latif. The original Malay-language article was translated into English; all proper nouns, brand names, agency names, and statistical figures are preserved from the source.

No currency conversions were required as the source material did not list any prices or financing rates. All statistics are drawn directly from the original article, including figures attributed to LPKP Sabah and MOT. This article was last updated on 5 February 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the Careta article and the official MOT announcement referenced therein.