A post on Threads by a foreigner has gone viral after he shared his frustrations with e-hailing vehicles in Malaysia.
According to the post, the more he travels across Asia, the more he notices that Malaysia offers the worst e-hailing cars compared to neighbouring countries.
He said that in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, passengers can often get comfortable electric vehicles (EVs) or a spacious Avanza for the standard fare. “If you choose the premium option, you will get an even newer and more comfortable car,” he wrote.
In Malaysia, however, the situation is very different. Regular fares often mean “smelly Protons or Peroduas with bad suspension.” Even choosing the premium option might only get you a Civic, “which is a great car to drive maybe, but not comfortable, too low and cramped.”
“Worst, you might get those old KL taxis that are 100 years old,” added @manuel_in_kl, reflecting the frustrations of many local commuters.
The viral post sparked online discussions, with netizens pointing to high car prices and government policies as contributing factors.
@ikwan530 commented: “Car prices in Malaysia are higher compared to others. Most average Malaysians can’t afford branded cars.”
@malektakrilek added: “Non-Malaysia brands are heavily taxed. The average income for an e-hailing driver in Malaysia is around RM2,000 to RM4,000 per month. With that income, most can only afford a car priced around RM50,000. Imported EVs can only be sold in Malaysia for a minimum of RM100,000.”
