Melaka: The Melaka state government is planning to provide at least one dedicated rest centre for the gig worker community in each district in the state in an effort to enhance the welfare of this group, which is currently estimated to exceed 5,000 people.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh announced that the facility, known as the Rider Pitstop, will be established in several strategic locations. This initiative aims to provide gig workers with comfortable and safe resting places where they can wait for orders or customers.

"As a government that truly cares for the people, we plan to provide more dedicated rest centres or Rider Pitstops at several strategic locations in the state," said Ab Rauf. He further mentioned that the state government will add four new passenger pickup locations for the p-hailing service at Melaka Sentral, Pantai Klebang, Hospital Melaka, and EON Bandaraya Melaka.

Elaborating further, Ab Rauf expressed the state government's openness to receiving applications, complaints, and views from the gig worker community. These matters will be coordinated by the state government before being escalated to the federal level.

Additionally, the state government plans to distribute a Ramadan contribution amounting to RM50,000 to the p-hailing community and gig workers in Melaka. This gesture serves as a token of appreciation for their contributions to the state's economy.

In a related event, Ab Rauf handed over a RM30,000 contribution from the Melaka State Education Trust Fund to 12 Melaka students from various institutions of higher learning. This contribution is part of the state government's commitment to supporting students in self-development programmes and aiding student associations in carrying out beneficial activities.