Latest news with #Pandasafe


BusinessToday
4 days ago
- Automotive
- 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
4 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
4 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."


The Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Luxury car owners must settle dues before release says Loke
KUALA LUMPUR: Owners of seized luxury vehicles must clear all outstanding dues before their cars are released, Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed. He stressed that expired road tax and insurance cases require full payment, including fines, with no exceptions. Loke dismissed claims that some owners preferred paying a RM300 fine over renewing road tax due to lower costs. 'Vehicles seized for expired road tax and insurance will only be released after all payments are settled,' he said. This includes road tax, insurance coverage, and compound fines, with no shortcuts available. He spoke after launching the Pandasafe programme by Foodpanda today. Many owners wrongly assume the RM300 fine is sufficient, Loke noted, emphasising strict enforcement for road safety. When asked about increasing the compound, he said the ministry is reviewing the proposal but changes require legal amendments. The Road Transport Department (RTD) has been actively seizing non-compliant vehicles as part of enforcement efforts. Earlier reports identified over 1,000 luxury cars with long-expired road tax, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Porsches. Some owners, including celebrities and business figures, claimed these were only used as weekend cars. - Bernama


Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
‘Fewer accidents benefit all': Reward safe riders instead of punishing delays, Loke tells delivery industry
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke today called on local delivery companies and insurance providers to reward responsible riders and drivers with clean traffic records, saying such incentives could help promote a stronger road safety culture. He noted that two-thirds of fatal road accidents in Malaysia involve motorcycles, and suggested that lower insurance rates or premiums could be offered to riders and drivers with good records. '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 during the launch of Foodpanda's Pandasafe programme here. 'Fewer accidents mean fewer claims,' he added. Loke also urged delivery companies to prioritise the safety of their riders and drivers, rather than focusing solely on the number of trips completed. 'I don't want these delivery companies to push or punish their riders and drivers by asking them to catch up on trips without considering their safety,' he said. 'We have heard previously where for riders who couldn't make the delivery on time, their commission would be deducted. 'This resulted in these riders driving over the speed limit and sometimes cut corners just to make that specific trip. This is something that we don't want.' Loke added that safety aspects must be upheld for all delivery companies. He welcomed the Pandasafe initiative which 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 is rolling out a range of integrated safety measures, including structured rider training focused on safe riding techniques, road safety modules, first aid and first response training, corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, and more. The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with Perkeso, Allianz, Hong Leong Bank, and Hong Leong Yamaha Motor.