Latest news with #FoodpandaMalaysia
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- 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.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Foodpanda unveils nationwide initiative to drive delivery partners' safety, well-beings
KUALA LUMPUR: Foodpanda Malaysia has launched pandasafe, a comprehensive initiative to enhance the safety and well-being of its delivery partners. This is through structured training, strategic partnerships and long-term support systems. The nationwide initiative, which was launched by Transport Minister Anthony Loke at foodpanda's headquarters, is a collaboration with key public and private sector partners. They include Allianz Malaysia Bhd, Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), Hong Leong Yamaha Motor and Hong Leong Bank Bhd. Loke praised the programme as a significant and proactive step in safeguarding Malaysia's growing gig economy workforce. "The safety of our delivery partners must be treated as a national priority. I applaud foodpanda and its partners for stepping up with a long-term, structured programme that goes beyond awareness. "Pandasafe sets a new benchmark for how companies can take responsibility in making our roads safer for gig workers," he added. Foodpanda Malaysia managing director Tan Ming Luk said the initiative represents a permanent commitment to rider safety, not a one-off campaign. He said that every safely completed order and every rider who returns home safely is a success for the company. "With pandasafe, we're embedding safety into every aspect of our operations, every day," he said. "It's not a seasonal campaign. This is our commitment to our riders, their families, and the communities we serve." Under the initiative, foodpanda will introduce structured training programmes focusing on safe riding techniques. Riders will also benefit from telematics tools to monitor and improve their riding habits. The programme includes road safety modules and first aid training, with Allianz Malaysia providing first response and CPR training to equip riders with life-saving skills in emergencies. Perkeso will conduct social protection education and P-Hailing Safety Induction training to ensure riders are aware of their rights and entitlements under Malaysia's safety net framework. Meanwhile, Hong Leong Yamaha Motor will offer training in defensive riding techniques and braking skills to enhance rider control and awareness on the road. Hong Leong Bank will lead financial literacy and financial safety workshops to help riders manage their income more effectively and plan for long-term financial well-being. Tan said these efforts form a holistic framework designed not only to reduce risks on the road but to promote long-term wellness and resilience among delivery riders. "Safety is not just a policy, but also a culture. And building that culture takes the right partnerships and the willingness to do things differently. That's why this coalition matters."
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Don't penalise delivery riders for delays beyond their control, says Loke
KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry today urged delivery platforms not to impose strict penalties on riders for late deliveries caused by factors beyond their control, such as bad weather or traffic congestion. 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.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
No road tax? RTD will seize your luxury car, says Loke
PETALING JAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook (pic) has stated that luxury car owners who fail to renew their road tax and insurance will not be able to reclaim their vehicles if they are seized. He explained that under the Road Transport Act 1987, the Road Transport Department (RTD) has the authority to impound vehicles found without a valid road tax and insurance. Owners must settle all outstanding dues before they can reclaim their cars. 'Just because they paid a RM300 compound, it doesn't mean they can skip road tax. The vehicle will remain impounded until they settle the road tax and have valid insurance. Only then can it be released,' he said after launching the Foodpanda Malaysia's rider safety programme today. Loke made these remarks in response to reports that some luxury car owners were exploiting low fines to avoid renewing their road tax and insurance. He noted that while the current maximum compound is RM300 under the Road Transport Act, the ministry is open to reviewing the law and increasing penalties, especially for repeat or high-risk offenders. 'There are suggestions that in cases like this, we impose a higher fine. That is something we need to look at in the Act, because under the current law, we can only compound them up to RM300. But despite the limit, it doesn't remove the requirement to have valid documents before the vehicle is released,' he said. On Monday, it was reported that over 1,000 luxury vehicles, including Ferraris and Lamborghinis owned by celebrities and business tycoons, were identified by the RTD as having expired road tax and insurance for an extended period. RTD senior enforcement director Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said these vehicles are typically not used daily but are instead driven only on weekends or for special occasions. Kifli added that the RTD would take strict action if such vehicles are spotted on public roads. Kifli warned motorists that 'Ops Luxury,' which specifically targets such offenses, is ongoing. Last week, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan worth RM3 million, owned by a well-known local businessman, was among 53 luxury and exotic vehicles seized by the RTD. Other seized vehicles included a Lamborghini Huracan supercar and an Aston Martin DBX. All were impounded for being driven without valid road tax and insurance. These seizures were part of 'Op Luxury 2.0,' which ran from July 30 to August 1. In June, a local actress's Porsche was among 101 luxury vehicles seized by the RTD during the first phase of the operation.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Loke: Luxury car owners must renew road tax, insurance to reclaim seized vehicles
KUALA LUMPUR: Owners of luxury vehicles who fail to renew their road tax and insurance cannot retrieve their vehicles once seized, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He said the law allows the Road Transport Department (RTD) to impound any vehicle without a valid road tax and insurance. The vehicle owners must first settle all outstanding dues before they can reclaim their cars. "Just because they pay a RM300 compound does not mean they can skip (paying the) road tax. "The vehicle will remain impounded until they settle the road tax and have valid insurance. Only then can it be released," he said after launching Foodpanda Malaysia's rider safety programme today. The minister was responding to reports that luxury car owners were exploiting low fines to avoid renewing road tax and insurance. Loke said that although the RM300 compound is the maximum allowed under the Road Transport Act 1987, the ministry is open to reviewing the law and increasing the penalties, especially for repeat or high-risk offenders. "There are suggestions that in cases like this, we impose a higher fine. "That is something we need to look at in the Act, because under the current law, we can only compound them up to RM300. "But despite the limit, it does not remove the requirement to have valid documents before the vehicle is released," he said. On Monday, it was reported that exotic cars such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis, owned by celebrities and business tycoons, were among 1,000 luxury vehicles identified by the RTD that have not had their road tax and insurance renewed for an extended period.
