KUALA LUMPUR: The government's decision to absorb the cost of driving licences fees for B2 motorcycles (below 250cc), taxis, buses and e-hailing providers, as proposed in the revised 2023 Budget, will help youths start careers in the gig economy.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said his ministry would soon announce the mechanism on how the initiatives would be implemented.
"I will check with the Finance Ministry on the proposed allocation set aside for the Transport Ministry to implement this initiative.
"Only then, we are able to identify the number of people, especially youths, who will benefit from this initiative.
"My ministry will develop the mechanism and the requirements to carry out this initiative," Loke told reporters in Parliament today.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the finance minister, tabled the revised 2023 Budget.
He announced a spending bill of RM388.1 billion, with RM289.1 billion for operations; RM99 billion for development and RM2 billion for contingency savings.
Loke said his ministry received RM6.1 billion under the revised 2023 Budget, which is a nine per cent increase from the RM5.6 billion set aside in the 2022 Budget.
Other initiatives related to the Transport Ministry include the MyBAS50 Unlimited Travel Pass in Johor Baru, which is a a pilot project by Prasarana.
The initiative under the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme, will benefit bus commuters.
"This initiative will come into effect in April. I will make it a requirement and ensure all stage bus operators in Johor Baru will carry out this initiative," Loke said.