Zakirin
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has officially expanded the National MADANI Taxi Renewal Programme (Teksi MADANI) to Sarawak, officiated by Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah at the UNIFOR Complex in Kuching on 28 August 2026.
- Teksi MADANI fleet modernisation expands to Sarawak, targeting 446 registered taxi drivers and 170 rental car operators registered under LPKP Sarawak.
- Programme introduces the Proton S70 with digital taxi meters and the dedicated ‘GET’ registration plate series, eliminating traditional rooftop taxi sign toppers.
- Drivers are provided with flexible hire-purchase and maintenance-inclusive leasing options via Proton and EON, alongside priority lanes for periodic PUSPAKOM and PPKM inspections.
The national initiative is designed to transition operators from traditional vehicle leasing systems into direct vehicle ownership while modernising public transport fleets.In Sarawak, the scheme is executed as a strategic collaboration between the Sarawak Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP Sarawak), the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), Grab, and Proton.According to LPKP Sarawak registry data, the state currently has 446 active taxi drivers, 170 rental car (kereta sewa) operators, and 7,326 registered e-hailing drivers.
| Parameter | Operational / Vehicle Details |
| Programme Name | National MADANI Taxi Renewal Programme (Teksi MADANI) |
| Official Vehicle Model | Proton S70 (displayed in Flagship X specification) |
| Vehicle Registration Format | Special ‘GET’ series white registration plates |
| Exterior Identifiers | Red exterior paint, deletion of rooftop taxi sign topper, no external livery |
| In-Cabin Taxi Equipment | Integrated digital taxi meter |
| Registered Target Group (Sarawak) | 446 taxi drivers, 170 rental car drivers, 7,326 e-hailing drivers |
| Vehicle Replacement Grant | Old Vehicle Replacement Matching Grant of up to RM4,000 |
| Total Programme Allocation | RM20 million (RM10 million under Budget 2026 + RM10 million matching grant top-up) |
While the initial Peninsular Malaysia launch in July 2026 featured the mid-spec Proton S70 Premium, the vehicle showcased for the Sarawak rollout appeared in range-topping Flagship X trim, identifiable by 17-inch alloy wheels and an aerodynamic black exterior bodykit.The new taxi identity removes conventional commercial vehicle liveries and roof-mounted taxi signage, distinguishing the vehicles primarily through the dedicated ‘GET’ vehicle registration number prefix and onboard digital metering hardware.
To assist operators with fleet acquisition, Proton—via its distribution arm Edaran Otomobil Nasional Berhad (EON) and participating banking institutions—provides tailored financing solutions. These include hire-purchase agreements structured with lower daily instalment repayments, as well as leasing packages that bundle scheduled vehicle servicing and routine maintenance costs directly into the contract. The programme is supported by the Old Vehicle Replacement Matching Grant, which provides an incentive of up to RM4,000 per qualified trade-in vehicle funded by a combined RM20 million government allocation (comprising an initial RM10 million under Budget 2026 and an additional RM10 million matching grant allocation).
Participating drivers will also receive priority inspection lanes during mandatory periodic vehicle roadworthiness checks conducted at Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centres (PUSPAKOM) and licensed Motor Vehicle Inspection Centres (PPKM) to reduce operational downtime.While the Proton S70 serves as the benchmark platform for the programme, the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) and MOT have confirmed that drivers who already own compliant roadworthy vehicles or who do not secure financing for the S70 package retain the regulatory flexibility to license alternative vehicle models under prevailing public transport regulations.
