35,000 School Bus Drivers Across Malaysia Will Get RM600 Each In Special Assistance

He said that the government has approved a grant under which each eligible driver will receive RM600.

According to him, the Movement Control Order (MCO) and its variations have affected many segments of society in Malaysia's continuing efforts to contain further outbreaks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"School bus operators form one of the many groups that the Ministry of Transport (MOT) had been attempting to help weather this period of uncertainty through various measures," Dr Wee said.

The PRIHATIN initiative, Pakej Rangsangan Ekonomi Prihatin Rakyat, is an economic stimulus package that was launched by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on 27 March 2020.

Valued at RM250 billion, it is to help Malaysian citizens get through the current trying times.

Dr Wee, while announcing the special assistance for school bus drivers, described the PRIHATIN initiative "as a bulwark for the country during economic and social crises as a result of the pandemic".

His ministry, he said, has since proposed additional allocation to help additional groups.

"We would like to note our appreciation to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) for their cooperation with us to help affected industry players during the MCO," the Transport Minister said.

The disbursement mechanism will be announced at a later time by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), the MOT's agency in charge of distributing the assistance," Dr Wee said.

"The government hopes this assistance will ease the burden of the people in living a challenging daily life due to the COVID-19 outbreak," MOH had said in a statement at the time.