
Don't penalise delivery riders for delays beyond their control, says Loke
Its minister, Anthony Loke, said companies must show greater understanding and avoid punishing riders when delays are due to unavoidable circumstances.
"Sometimes it's the weather, sometimes it's heavy traffic.
"I hope the public will also be more empathetic.
"Don't lash out at riders when your food arrives late. Try to understand what they go through," he said during the launch of Foodpanda Malaysia's rider safety programme today.
The programme, dubbed Pandasafe, is a comprehensive and long-term safety initiative designed to protect and empower delivery partners through a structured safety ecosystem nationwide.
Under the initiative, Foodpanda will introduce a range of integrated safety measures, including structured rider training programmes focused on safe riding techniques, road safety modules, first aid training, first response procedures, corporate social responsibility (CSR) training, and more.

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BusinessToday
a day ago
- BusinessToday
Loke Clamps Down On Luxury Car Owners
Luxury car owners in Penang and across Malaysia will not see their vehicles returned unless they settle all outstanding road tax, insurance and compound payments, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He stressed that there are no shortcuts for those whose cars have been seized for lacking valid documentation, even if some think paying the RM300 compound is a cheaper alternative to annual road tax. 'Vehicles seized for not having valid road tax and insurance will only be released after all payments are settled,' he said after launching Foodpanda's Pandasafe initiative in Kuala Lumpur today. 'This includes road tax, insurance coverage and compounds. There's no way around it.' Loke said that the ministry is looking into proposals to increase the compound rates for such offences, although this would require amendments to current laws. 'We're preparing a paper to be presented to Cabinet. If we want to increase fines or compounds, we'll need to amend the Act first,' he added. He also confirmed that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) is actively conducting operations to seize non-compliant vehicles as part of ongoing enforcement measures. 'Many people think paying a RM300 fine is enough. But in reality, they still need to pay road tax and insurance first. Their vehicles will not be released until these requirements are fulfilled,' he said. Previously, reports revealed that JPJ had identified more than 1,000 luxury vehicles across the country — including Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche models — with expired road tax, some owned by celebrities and prominent businessmen. Many claim their vehicles are only driven on weekends. Loke maintained that action is being taken under current laws, without exception, as a way to educate motorists on the importance of complying with road safety regulations.


New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Reward safe riders with lower premiums
KUALA LUMPUR: Delivery riders with clean traffic records and responsible riding behaviour should be rewarded with lower insurance premiums, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke yesterday. He said this approach would not only promote safer road practices but ultimately reduce claims, benefiting insurers. "If we can make safety a national culture, it's not just good for the public, it's also beneficial for the insurance industry," he said at the launch of Foodpanda Malaysia's rider safety programme, Pandasafe. "Fewer accidents mean fewer claims." The Pandasafe programme is a comprehensive and long-term safety initiative designed to protect and empower delivery partners through a structured ecosystem. Under the initiative, Foodpanda will introduce rider training programmes that focus on, among others, safe riding techniques, road safety modules, first-aid training and first response procedures. Loke urged insurance providers to offer incentives or discounts to riders who consistently adhered to safe riding habits, such as having no accident history, no summonses and positive behavioural assessments. "The ministry is ready to work with industry players and insurers to explore this further. Perhaps we can come up with a system that identifies low-risk riders and recognises their efforts." He said some companies, like Foodpanda, had already implemented rider performance tracking systems that could serve as a foundation for such incentives. Cultivating a culture of road safety, he added, must go beyond government enforcement and seasonal campaigns. "Safety has to be part of everyday operations and embedded in the corporate DNA." Loke also urged delivery platforms not to impose strict penalties on riders for late deliveries caused by factors beyond their control. "Sometimes it's the weather, sometimes it's heavy traffic. I hope that the public will also be more empathetic. Don't lash out at riders when your food arrives late. Try to understand what they go through," he added.


The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
foodpanda honours delivery partners this National Day with S$16,000 in bursaries, double-tipping and rider safety courses
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 7 August 2025 - To mark Singapore's 60th National Day, foodpanda, the nation's leading food and grocery delivery platform, has launched a series of initiatives, as part of its Riding Singapore Forward campaign, to recognise and uplift its delivery partners. These include S$16,200 in education bursaries, dollar-for-dollar tip matching, and expanded road safety training in the lead-up to Rider Safety Month. The campaign reinforces foodpanda's commitment to the everyday heroes who keep the city moving. 'Singapore's 60th birthday is a meaningful milestone to honour our delivery partners, who show up every day– rain or shine – to bring convenience and comfort to homes across the city. This year, we're doing even more to say thank you,' said Bhavani Mishra, Managing Director, foodpanda Singapore. Recognising Service and Supporting Education foodpanda also recognised 31 outstanding delivery partners with awards for exceptional service and contributions to the community. Over 700 attendees received goodie bags containing safety and rider essentials – including rain jackets, road emergency toolkits, first-aid kits, sunscreen, neck fans, along with contributions from partners such as Food Republic, Coca-Cola, HelloRide, Chubb and more. Additionally, to make every token of appreciation go twice as far, foodpanda will match all in-app customer tips dollar-for-dollar from 8 to 10 August. Delivery partners collecting orders that include two Coca-Cola cans from selected Food Republic outlets islandwide will also receive a complimentary Coca-Cola from 1 to 10 August. Spotlighting Rider Safety In the lead-up to Rider Safety Month in September, foodpanda also announced that it will expand its training programme with intermediate safety training courses, a step up from the basic training courses provided last year. Tailored by vehicle type, these sessions cover practical techniques, hazard management, and road confidence – equipping partners with road skills and confidence. This continued investment reflects foodpanda's commitment to a safer, more supportive working environment for delivery partners. Support that Goes the Distance With the SG60 pandarider Awards and National Day initiatives, foodpanda reaffirms its dedication to recognising delivery partners' resilience, strengthening their role in Singapore's story, and investing in support that makes a meaningful difference. These efforts are part of foodpanda's regional flagship programme, panda hearts, dedicated to uplifting and empowering delivery partners across Asia across five pillars – safety, well-being, personal development, community and welfare perks.