MAXIM MALAYSIA STRENGTHENS SAFETY, COMPLIANCE AFTER RECEIVING APAD LICENCE

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Maxim Malaysia has strengthened its safety and compliance framework after receiving its full operating licence from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), officially becoming a fully authorised e-hailing operator in Malaysia.

The e-hailing operator said in a statement today that the approval was granted after it completed a mandatory monitoring period last November and fulfilled all regulatory requirements under the country’s transport framework.

Maxim Malaysia Legal Compliance and Government Relations representative Mushfique Ahmed Chowdhury said the APAD approval reinforces the trust placed in the platform and strengthens the company’s responsibility to deliver safer services.

“We have demonstrated that we are a necessary and competitive player in Malaysia’s e-hailing landscape, helping improve mobility across all states. As we move into 2026, our focus remains on enhancing safety, preserving flexibility for our driver-partners and expanding access to reliable mobility for communities across Malaysia,” he said.

Maxim Malaysia said the full authorisation has resulted in tangible improvements for both driver-partners and passengers, including a smoother onboarding process, direct financial assistance for mandatory licensing and greater flexibility in work arrangements.

The company said every trip is now conducted by fully licensed and verified drivers, reinforcing confidence in the safety and legitimacy of each journey.

It said safety features are embedded into the app’s daily operations, including an upgraded SOS function that allows users to instantly share live trip details with emergency contacts, as well as the Women’s Rate option, which matches female passengers with women drivers to enhance comfort and security.

Maxim Malaysia also said it covers the cost of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licensing and collaborates with more than 25 driving schools nationwide to streamline and accelerate the driver legalisation and training process.

On inclusivity, the company highlighted its Mesra OKU feature, which includes voice-assisted booking to improve accessibility for users with disabilities.

For the second consecutive year, Maxim Malaysia has continued its support for the blind community, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Association for the Blind in November 2025 to address mobility barriers through direct assistance.

From a regulatory perspective, Maxim Malaysia said it supports the core principles of the Gig Workers Bill 2025, emphasising the need to preserve flexibility in platform-based work while safeguarding the status of its drivers as partners.

Looking ahead to 2026, Maxim Malaysia said its strategy will focus on extending safe and reliable mobility across Malaysia while gradually evolving into a broader daily services ecosystem, particularly through the development of delivery services.

“This includes expanding access in underserved areas, creating additional earning opportunities for driver-partners, and strengthening corporate social responsibility initiatives to deliver sustainable value to the communities it serves.

“It aims to enhance its technological features and work closely with authorities and communities to support a modern and inclusive transportation ecosystem,” the statement said.

-- BERNAMA