KUALA LUMPUR: E-hailing company Maxim Malaysia anticipates a more dynamic and regulated e-hailing landscape in 2026, driven by increasing demand for flexible mobility solutions.
Director Mohd Hazwan Musley said competition is expected to move beyond pricing alone and be increasingly driven by safety standards, regulatory compliance, service reliability and inclusivity, areas where Maxim has consistently invested in.
“Our priority is to strengthen our position as a trusted, safe and socially responsible operator across Malaysia, with a strong presence in every state where we operate.
“Rather than pursuing aggressive market share expansion, we focus on building a sustainable platform that delivers long-term value to users, drivers and regulators alike.
“By offering a credible and compliant alternative, we aim to contribute to healthy competition in the e-hailing industry that improves service quality, expands consumer choice, and supports fair conditions for driver-partners,“ he told SunBiz.
Hazwan said the e-hailing sector may face challenges in 2026,including adapting to evolving regulatory requirements, retaining drivers in an increasingly competitive gig economy and managing rising operational costs.
“Our strategy is to build around proactive regulatory engagement, a strong partner-centric approach, and continuous operational optimisation to maintain service reliability and affordability.
“We always maintain ongoing dialogue with regulators to ensure smooth and timely adaptation to policy changes,“ he said.
To support driver retention, he said, Maxim Malaysia provides tangible assistance, such as full coverage of PSV licensing costs, incentive programmes, and inclusive initiatives like “Drive for Inclusion”, which broaden participation across different segments of society.
At the same time, Maxim Malaysia continuously works to raise its service standards. This includes offering optional training and awareness programmes for partner-drivers, often in collaboration with relevant authorities, such as the Road Transport Department, to promote road safety awareness, traffic rules awareness, and professional service delivery.
These efforts, Hazwan said, help ensure consistent service quality while supporting long-term operational sustainability.
“To manage operational expenses, we focus on technological efficiency and logistics optimisation. Investments in IT infrastructure and analytics allow us to streamline processes, minimise downtime and optimise routes. This, coupled with a sustainable partner-drivers engagement model, helps curb cost increases without passing them on to users.”
Further, Hazwan said a reliable and motivated pool of drivers directly impacts service stability, coverage, and predictable pricing for passengers.
“Our business strategy for 2026 is aimed at creating a sustainable ecosystem where regulatory compliance, care for partner-driver and operational efficiency are interconnected. It is precisely this comprehensive approach that enables us to deliver on our core promise to customers: providing safe, reliable and accessible service in every part of Malaysia we expand into.
“We are confident that the balance between partner support and technological investment is the key to long-term trust and quality of our service,“ he said.
Earlier this month, Maxim Malaysia secured full authorisation as an e-hailing operator following the issuance of its operating licence by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad). This milestone underscores the company’s continued focus on regulatory compliance and safety standards.
The licence was awarded after Maxim Malaysia completed a compulsory monitoring phase in November and satisfied all required regulatory conditions, reinforcing its role within Malaysia’s transport landscape.
,Hazwan said, “Maxim Malaysia’s assurance of compliance given by Apad last year has created a stable foundation for our growth in Malaysia. For 2026, Maxim Malaysia’s roadmap focuses on three strategic pillars, which are scaling our driver network, expanding geographic accessibility, and developing our app ecosystem.”
After a tough 2025, Maxim Malaysia’s main focus is now on working with drivers, who are a significant part of its ecosystem.
The company will continue to cover the full cost of PSV licensing and reimburse drivers RM400 to offset their expenses.
“We will work closely with driving schools nationwide to streamline the PSV licensing process, making it faster and easier to join our platform. Now we collaborate with 25 schools.
“Geographically, we are committed to extending services into rural and suburban regions where public transport options remain limited. This expansion serves a dual purpose, providing essential mobility for communities and creating valuable income opportunities for drivers in these areas.
“We are currently in the stage of planning to enhance last-mile connectivity through our growing delivery, or p-hailing, segment in states, giving local entrepreneurs the opportunity to grow with us,“ Hazwan said.
