School Bus Drivers Want Clear Guidelines for RM1,000 Government Assistance

School bus drivers are urging the government to clarify how a special RM1,000 assistance payment will be distributed to approximately 15,000 drivers nationwide.

Malaysian School Bus Associations Federation president Amali Munif Rahmat said the announcement was welcomed, but drivers remained uncertain about the application and collection process ahead of the planned distribution on Wednesday. He stressed that clear instructions were necessary to ensure eligible drivers receive the assistance without unnecessary difficulties.

School Bus Operators Question Whether Aid Goes Directly to Drivers

Amali said drivers wanted to know whether they would have to travel to the Transport Ministry in Putrajaya to collect the payment or whether another distribution method would be introduced.

He also called for clarification on whether the money would be paid directly to drivers or channelled through school bus permit holders. Many drivers had reportedly raised questions with the federation after hearing about the assistance.

The federation warned that unclear arrangements could leave some eligible recipients behind. Amali cited concerns from previous aid distribution during the Covid-19 period, when some drivers associated with orphanage organisations and Felda cooperatives reportedly missed out because their operators were not registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia.

APAD records showed 10,764 active school bus permits in Peninsular Malaysia between 2019 and 2026, while Sabah and Sarawak each had around 1,000 permits.