PETALING JAYA: The RM500 one-off assistance for e-hailing drivers under the Pemerkasa Plus programme will be disbursed to eligible drivers starting tomorrow, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       He said he had taken note of concerns raised by e-hailing drivers over delays on the payment of the one-off assistance.

       Citing figures from the Land Public Transport Department (Apad), he said a total of 56,092 e-hailing drivers were eligible to receive the RM500 payment.

       Apad had disbursed the aid to 28,465 eligible drivers between July 26 and Aug 6, he added.

       “However, there are still 27,627 drivers who have yet to receive the assistance,” he said on Facebook yesterday.

       Dr Wee also said information on the remaining drivers yet to receive payments had been received by Apad on Sept 3.

       “Apad is currently processing the payments through Hong Leong Bank appointed by the government and the payment will be auto-credited into bank accounts of the 27,627 drivers starting this Friday.”

       “The Transport Ministry wishes to apologise for the inconvenience this delay has caused to drivers. The ministry hopes the assistance may bring some relief to the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.