Transport Minister: Deliveries with private vehicles allowed for businesses during pandemic

In addition to food delivery, parcel/goods delivery services such as GrabExpress and Lalamove have become an integral part of the Malaysian ecosystem as many in the country work from home under MCO 2.0. However, what about private deliveries from businesses that are not related to these platforms?

To help enable freelancers and part-timers generate income, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has confirmed that goods and parcel deliveries with private vehicles (cars/motorcycles) will be allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wee also advised those who are self-employed in this manner to acquire insurance protection via the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO)’s Self Employment Social Security Scheme—while obeying traffic rules at all times.

More regulation in the future

The Transport Minister also said that the Ministry of Trransport will be looking into the use of private vehicles for goods delivery, with regulations to be developed for the good of the industry. Suitable regulations will ensure that the industry can continue to thrive, although it will take sometime to fully legislate these changes.

“I have instructed the MOT and its agencies to study this matter and develop appropriate regulations so that their business activities can thrive in a regulated environment. However, it will take time for this process to be finalised.”

It’s worth noting that the minister’s statement only applies to private vehicles used to make deliveries for the owners’ own businesses (instead of eHailing platforms), his aide told FMT. Meanwhile, those who already have licences to to carry paying passengers can apply for a special temporary licence (LPS) or a temporary conversion of their public service vehicles (PSV) to allow them to use these vehicles for goods delivery.

“Those who already own the operator licence, intermediary business licence, or commercial vehicle licence from the Land Public Transport Agency or the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board in Sabah and Sarawak can apply.

“The rules and application methods for this licence can be obtained from the relevant agencies.”

Wee went on to highlight the potential that the food and goods delivery industry has in Malaysia—particularly socio-economic benefits to Malaysians classified under the B40 group:

“This has become a new normal throughout the movement control order (MCO) period and is expected to grow rapidly in the future.”

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