Bersama Urges EC, MACC to Probe Loke’s Melaka Taxi Aid

Transport Minister Announces RM1,000 Payout for Melaka Drivers Ahead of State Polls

Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that taxi drivers in Melaka will receive RM1,000 in one-off financial assistance ahead of the upcoming state election, with the funds drawn from special vehicle registration number sales.

Opposition Demands Investigation Into Pre-Election Cash Handout

Bersama leader Lee Chean Chung called on the Election Commission and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to examine the announcement. Lee questioned why the financial assistance was restricted to Melaka rather than rolled out nationwide simultaneously, and criticized the delivery of the news at a political gathering instead of through official ministry channels. He described the move as a clear instance of pre-election cash distribution, arguing that it blurs the line between state resources and party interests.

The fight against corruption has long been one of the main principles DAP invoked when criticizing Barisan Nasional’s practice of handing out inducements before elections over the decades, Lee said in a statement. He added that the announcement raises concerns about governance standards ahead of the Nov. 14 Melaka election, regardless of whether it technically breaches the Election Offences Act 1954.

Funding Source Tied to Special Registration Plate Revenue

Addressing the mechanics of the payout, Loke defended the initiative by explaining that the funds originate from the sale of special H series vehicle registration numbers, which generated RM91 million. Loke stated that the financial aid demonstrates how public revenue can be redirected to support ordinary citizens grappling with rising living costs. Similar targeted assistance programs under Budget 2027 are slated to reach roughly 38,000 taxi and hire-car drivers, alongside 15,000 school bus drivers nationwide, with distribution events rolling out across different states including Penang and Negeri Sembilan.

Critics maintain that revenue generated from public vehicle registration bids should flow directly into the Consolidated Fund and be disbursed strictly through parliamentary-approved allocations, rather than announced at party events.