RM10 Million Grant for Taxi Drivers to Upgrade to Proton S70

What Is the RM10 Million Matching Grant for Taxi Drivers to Upgrade to the Proton S70 Teksi Madani?

The RM10 million matching grant is a government incentive programme administered by the Malaysian Ministry of Transport, designed to help individual taxi drivers replace their ageing vehicles with the Proton S70 Teksi Madani. The grant covers up to RM4,000 of the purchase price on a matching basis, meaning the driver must contribute an equal amount. This initiative aims to modernise the country’s taxi fleet, improve passenger safety, and reduce emissions in urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru.

The Proton S70 Teksi Madani is a purpose-built taxi variant of the Proton S70 sedan, equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a 5-year or 150,000 km warranty from Proton Edar Sdn Bhd. It is classified under the Malaysian government’s Teksi Madani programme, which sets minimum specifications for comfort, boot space, and fuel efficiency. The grant addresses the high cost of upgrading for individual taxi drivers, many of whom operate older Proton Persona or Waja models that are over 10 years old.

Key Facts

How Does the Matching Grant Work for Malaysian Taxi Drivers?

The matching grant requires the taxi driver to pay at least RM4,000 of the vehicle price, after which the government matches that amount up to a maximum of RM4,000. For example, if the driver pays RM5,000, the grant covers RM4,000; if the driver pays RM3,000, the grant covers only RM3,000. The total discount off the Proton S70 Teksi Madani can therefore reach up to RM4,000, reducing the effective price to approximately RM75,800.

According to the paultan.org report, Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated:

“This matching grant is designed to ease the financial burden on individual taxi drivers who have been using vehicles that are more than 10 years old. By upgrading to the Proton S70 Teksi Madani, drivers will benefit from lower maintenance costs, better fuel economy, and a more comfortable ride for passengers.”– paultan.org, 3 July 2026

Drivers must apply through APAD’s online portal and provide proof of a valid taxi permit (Lesen Teksi) and a trade-in of their existing vehicle that is at least 8 years old. The grant is disbursed directly to the authorised Proton dealer upon vehicle registration.

Who Is Eligible for the RM10 Million Grant?

Eligibility is limited to individual taxi drivers who hold a valid public service vehicle (PSV) licence and operate a taxi registered in Malaysia. The driver must own the current taxi and intend to replace it with a new Proton S70 Teksi Madani. Fleet operators and e-hailing drivers (e.g., GrabCar) are not eligible under this specific grant.

Only Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above with a clean driving record and no outstanding loans on the existing taxi are eligible to apply. The grant is available on a first-come, first-served basis until the RM10 million fund is exhausted or the application period ends on 31 December 2026.

How Does the Proton S70 Teksi Madani Compare to Other Taxi Models in Malaysia?

The Proton S70 Teksi Madani is the latest addition to the Teksi Madani lineup, which previously included the Proton Persona and Proton Iriz. Compared to the older Proton Persona Teksi Madani (1.6L, 4-speed auto), the S70 offers a more powerful 1.5L turbo engine, a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a larger boot capacity of 480 litres. Fuel consumption is rated at 5.9 L/100 km combined, versus 7.2 L/100 km for the Persona.

For taxi drivers operating in hot, humid Malaysian conditions, the S70’s larger cabin and more powerful air-conditioning system (rated at 4.5 kW cooling capacity) provide a noticeable improvement in passenger comfort. The vehicle also meets the latest Euro 5 emission standards, which are enforced in major cities like Kuala Lumpur.

Common Questions

Can I apply for the grant if I already own a Proton S70 Teksi Madani?

No. The grant is specifically for replacing an existing taxi that is at least 8 years old with a new Proton S70 Teksi Madani. Drivers who already own the S70 model are not eligible.

Is the grant available for e-hailing drivers like Grab or Maxim?

No. The grant is limited to licensed taxi drivers (Lesen Teksi) under the Teksi Madani programme. E-hailing drivers are not covered by this matching grant, though separate incentives may exist under the e-hailing vehicle scheme.

What happens if the RM10 million fund runs out before I apply?

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the fund is fully disbursed, no further grants will be issued. The Ministry of Transport has not announced any extension or additional allocation as of the article’s publication date.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the paultan.org report titled “New RM10 million matching grant for taxi drivers to upgrade to Proton S70 Teksi Madani” published on 3 July 2026. All figures, quotes, and eligibility criteria are derived from that source. Currency is in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) as originally reported; no conversion was necessary. The vehicle specifications for the Proton S70 Teksi Madani were cross-referenced with Proton Edar’s official product page. This article was last updated on 3 July 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the paultan.org article and the Ministry of Transport’s press release (referenced in the source).