Fahmi to announce special mobile Internet package for delivery riders

PETALING JAYA: Telco companies will be providing a special package for all e-hailing riders in Malaysia at a discounted price, says Fahmi Fadzil.

The Communications Minister said he would make the announcement on Tuesday (Jan 23).

In a Facebook post on Monday (Jan 22), Fahmi recounted how he got the idea after a long chat with Nazirul, a food delivery rider who lamented his high phone bill.

"As a father, I understand the challenges he faced. After chatting for almost 40 minutes, I had an idea to help the rider community," wrote Fahmi

He said that after discussions with chief executive officers of all telecommunications companies, a decision was made to provide a special telecommunications package for e-hailing and p-hailing workers.

"This is a small victory for all p-hailing (and e-hailing) workers. Thank you, riders, for serving us all this time," he said

Last July, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi proposed the establishment of a Malaysian gig economy commission (Segim), aimed at addressing issues in the informal work ecosystem and improving the welfare of consumers, vendors, traders, workers and service platform providers.

However, in November, then human resources minister V. Sivakumar said that there were no plans to set up Segim due to a potential overlap with existing committees.

Recently, a peaceful protest involving around 300 delivery riders took place, demanding that an ehailing company address various concerns, including reinstating previous base fares for deliveries within the Klang Valley and maintaining pick-up bonuses.