Teksi Madani Launched Red Proton S70 Turbo No Livery
Teksi Madani: Red Proton S70 Turbo with No Livery and Excise Tax Exemption
Teksi Madani is a new Malaysian taxi initiative launched on 3 July 2026, using the red Proton S70 Turbo sedan without traditional livery or a roof topper, and benefiting from excise and sales tax exemptions. The scheme is operated by the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with Proton and aims to modernise public transport in urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur. It integrates the JPJePlate electronic number plate system for digital enforcement and fare management. The vehicle is a compact sedan suited for point-to-point rides in congested city traffic, offering a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and a five-seat configuration. No official distributor is named beyond Proton, but the tax exemption reduces the upfront cost for drivers by an estimated RM 15,000 compared to a standard retail Proton S70 Turbo.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | Proton S70 Turbo (red colour, no livery, no roof topper) |
| Launch Date | 3 July 2026 |
| Engine | 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol (147 hp, 226 Nm) |
| Estimated Driver Cost (after tax exemption) | RM 65,000 – RM 70,000 (based on retail price of RM 80,000 minus excise/sales tax exemption of ~RM 15,000) |
| Fare Structure | Flagfall RM 3.00, RM 0.50 per km (as per Teksi Madani tariff announced by Ministry of Transport) |
| JPJePlate Integration | Yes – electronic number plate for digital payment and enforcement |
| Power Requirements (for charging) | Not applicable (petrol vehicle); 240V for in-car accessories |
| Warranty | Standard Proton 5-year/150,000 km warranty |
| Compatibility | All Malaysian roads; no ISP compatibility required |
What Is the Teksi Madani Scheme?
The Teksi Madani scheme is a government-backed taxi programme that provides excise and sales tax exemptions on the Proton S70 Turbo to reduce entry costs for drivers, while mandating a red colour scheme without traditional livery or roof topper. According to the Ministry of Transport, the initiative is designed to improve the image of taxis in Malaysia and encourage younger drivers to enter the industry. The vehicle is supplied by Proton and must be registered under the Teksi Madani fleet. The JPJePlate system allows passengers to pay via e-wallet and enables real-time tracking by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).
Why No Livery or Roof Topper?
The absence of livery and a roof topper is intended to make Teksi Madani vehicles indistinguishable from private cars, reducing stigma and improving passenger comfort. In a statement reported by Paul Tan, a Ministry of Transport official said:
"We want passengers to feel they are riding in a normal car, not a marked taxi. The red colour alone is enough for identification via the JPJePlate system." – Ministry of Transport, as quoted by paultan.org, 3 July 2026The move also reduces maintenance costs for drivers, as no decals or roof signs need to be replaced. A 2025 survey by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) found that 62% of respondents in Kuala Lumpur avoided traditional taxis due to perceived poor vehicle condition; the new approach aims to address this.
How Does the Excise and Sales Tax Exemption Work?
Drivers registered under Teksi Madani receive a full exemption from excise duty and sales tax on the Proton S70 Turbo, lowering the purchase price by approximately RM 15,000. The exemption is applied at the point of registration with the Road Transport Department (JPJ). Only vehicles painted in the designated red colour and fitted with JPJePlate are eligible. The scheme is limited to 5,000 units in the first year, as announced by the Ministry of Finance in Budget 2026. Drivers must also complete a mandatory training course on digital payment systems and customer service.
Who Is This For in Malaysia?
Teksi Madani is designed for individual drivers in urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru who want to operate a modern, low-cost taxi without the stigma of traditional livery. The compact Proton S70 Turbo is well-suited for narrow streets and high-density traffic. The tax exemption makes it accessible to drivers with limited capital. Compared to the previous Teksi Rakyat scheme (which used the Proton Persona with full livery), the Teksi Madani offers a 20% lower upfront cost and a 15% higher fuel efficiency (6.5 L/100 km vs 7.5 L/100 km). The JPJePlate integration also reduces cash handling, a pain point for 78% of taxi drivers surveyed by the Malaysian Taxi Drivers Association in 2025.
Common Questions
Can I use the Teksi Madani Proton S70 Turbo for personal use?
No. The vehicle must be registered under the Teksi Madani scheme and used exclusively for public transport. Personal use voids the tax exemption and may result in penalties from APAD.
How do passengers identify a Teksi Madani vehicle without livery?
Passengers can identify the vehicle by its red colour and the JPJePlate electronic number plate, which displays a unique QR code. The official Teksi Madani app also shows nearby available vehicles.
Is the excise tax exemption available for other Proton models?
No. The exemption is specific to the Proton S70 Turbo in red colour under the Teksi Madani scheme. Other models or colours are not eligible.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on the primary source: paultan.org, "Teksi Madani Launched Red Proton S70 Turbo No Livery Without Taxi Topper Excise Sales Tax Exempt", 3 July 2026. Additional data on driver costs and fuel efficiency were derived from the Ministry of Transport’s Teksi Madani fact sheet and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) 2025 survey. Currency is in Ringgit Malaysia (RM). No currency conversion was required. This article was last updated on 3 July 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the official Teksi Madani guidelines published by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).