March 24 (Reuters) - Anduril and Palantir Technologies are working together to develop software for U.S. President Donald Trump's Golden Dome antimissile shield initiative, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
PETALING JAYA: Aslina Ahmad leaves her house at 7am and spends the whole day driving. By the time the e-hailing driver gets home, it’s midnight. The 57-year-old from Mantin, Negri Sembilan, will count herself lucky if she can earn a clean profit of RM200 to RM250 a day.
“My legs are numb from the long hours of driving. Every week, I have to pay RM450 for the rental of my car. If there are any unexpected expenses such as maintenance of the car, and as such, it cuts into my earnings,” she said. That is why Aslina is thankful for the Budi Madani RON95 and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah schemes.“I am thinking of buying an electric vehicle, as I fear that if Budi95 is suddenly withdrawn, I would not be able to survive,” said Aslina, who has been an e-hailing driver for eight years. She is not alone. Many e-hailing drivers are fretting over any possible decision to cut subsidies or do away with Budi95. “We have yet to feel much impact, but we are anticipating the government raising the fixed price of RON95 of RM1.99 under Budi95,” said Malaysia E-Hailing Drivers Association president Daryl Chong.Chong said most e-hailing drivers are working with very slim margins after platform commissions, vehicle costs and maintenance. “If petrol prices are raised, their income will drop fast. That is why a fare adjustment mechanism makes sense. “It should not be about random price hikes but a clear and transparent system that moves with fuel prices. “Platforms should also take a fresh look at their commission structures and incentive models, especially when operating costs are high. “A fairer approach would be to share the pressure across riders, platforms and drivers, instead of putting it all on the drivers.” Malaysian Grab Drivers’ Association president Mohd Azril Ahmat said that, as of now, association members are still able to take home a profit. “Even if RON95 prices are raised by 10sen or 20sen, we can still cover our expenses. However, if the hike exceeds the amount, we will have no choice but to push for a fare increase. “If fuel prices are hiked up by more than RM1, there won’t be any profits for us e-hailers,” said Mohd Azril. Father-of-four Khayr Ibrahim from Klang said that even if fares are increased along with petrol prices, passengers may look for cheaper alternatives. “We get incentives from the platforms when we work during peak hours or on days like the first day of Hari Raya. Budi95 keeps us going, but if our indirect expenses increase due to global fuel hikes, then we have to find other sources of income.“Foreign workers use e-hailing often, but factories have cut their production time due to fuel hikes and increased cost of raw material.“On days we are sick, we earn nothing. Budi95 and STR are what I am hanging on to now,” said Khayr.
Aslina Ahmad E-Hailing Budi Madani RON95 Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah Electric Vehicle Subsidies Malaysia E-Hailing Drivers Association Fuel Prices Malaysian Grab Drivers' Association Work-From-Home Scheme
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