KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 10): Grab Malaysia remains committed to fostering inclusivity, economic empowerment and sustainability focusing on providing opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and women in the gig economy.
Its managing director Adelene Foo said Grab Malaysia remains steadfast in providing economic empowerment for individuals from all walks of life to build a future where everyone, regardless of background or ability, has the opportunity to thrive.
“Through initiatives like #GrabBersamaMalaysia and #SisBoleh, Grab supports PWDs with training and financial relief and encourages women’s participation by offering safety features and community-building programmes.
“Additionally, Grab contributes to Malaysia’s tourism and economic growth by supporting local MSMEs and introducing the Grab Tourist Pack to enhance travel experiences. With a strong focus on safety and innovation, Grab collaborates with government and local communities to ensure a sustainable and inclusive future for all Malaysians,” she said in a statement on Friday.
According to the statement, Grab has 3,100 PWDs across Southeast Asia benefiting from its income opportunities.
"As a technology enabler, our commitment lies in assisting and providing specially designed training sessions so the PwD partners can leverage their technology and Grab platform for earning opportunities," it said and cited Johor as an example.
“Since our launch in the state back in 2013, we have provided a platform for nearly 100,000 local drivers and delivery partners to earn incomes, including over 400 PWDs. Together, we hope to help more PWDs attain their financial independence and create their own stories of empowerment.
“In Malaysia, over 10,000 PWDs have entered the workforce from 2022 to mid-2023. This progress is a step forward, but it also highlights a significant gap, the overall employment rate for PWDs remains low compared to the registered PWD population of over 674,000,” read the statement.
It said the #SisBoleh programme, a key initiative driving Grab’s efforts to empower women on the platform, focuses on three pillars: Safety, Onboarding & Training, and Community.
“Through #SisBoleh, we aim to provide women with the necessary skills and know-how to confidently earn and be part of a community of empowered womenfolk. Our safety features such as ‘Share My Ride’ and ‘AudioProtect’ are designed to provide them with peace of mind while working.
“Since 2021, we have seen a 156% increase in the number of women driver-and-delivery partners in Malaysia, and we take immense pride in this incredible growth,” it said.
Meanwhile, it said Grab Malaysia is expanding its focus to contribute to the country’s tourism sector.
“In 2023, tourism accounted for 15.1% (RM275.8 billion) of Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP). Notably, 65% of travellers use the Grab app when visiting Malaysia, highlighting our unique role in enhancing travel experiences.
"In line with this vision, we acknowledge the vital role local businesses play in driving economic growth. MSMEs contribute 67% of the total GrabFood and GrabMart gross merchandise value (GMV) in Southeast Asia, and we remain committed to supporting their success,” it said.
In Terengganu alone, the number of MSMEs registered with Grab continues to grow, with a 20% year-on-year increase in new registrations.
Notably, more than half of these local MSMEs maintain a five-star rating, as rated by millions of food lovers, it said.
To further fuel this growth, it introduced the Grab Tourist Pack, offering international travellers a hassle-free way to enjoy instant savings on rides and meals.
“Every interaction with the platform directly benefits our local Grab partners — whether it is a driver-partner earning from a trip or a merchant-partner seeing an uptick in customers,” it said.
Uploaded by Lam Seng Fatt