Budget 2026 is shaping up to be a big one, especially for the gig economy. With over a million Malaysians earning through delivery and freelance platforms, foodpanda says it’s time to turn short-term hustle into long-term growth.
Their Managing Director, Tan Ming Luk, calls the new Gig Workers’ Bill a “historic milestone”, finally giving riders and freelancers proper protection. But he also notes: implementation is key.
foodpanda believes resilience isn’t just about income, it’s about skills, safety, and stability. From rider upskilling under SOCSO and i-TEKAD to micro-financing for vehicle repairs, the brand wants to see more government-private teamwork to help gig workers level up.
And because the future is digital (and green), foodpanda also hopes Budget 2026 pushes for EV adoption, easier digital onboarding for small vendors, and more incentives to go sustainable.
At the end of the day, the message is clear, Malaysia’s gig workers deserve more than just gigs. They deserve growth.