Some runners say they have lost jobs as people, especially the youth, opt to use a digital road tax which enables renewal online and doesn't require runner services.
Runners are third-party service providers who also provide Road Transport Department's (JPJ) related services such as road tax renewal, changing a car's ownership, plate number and more.
Part-time runner Fadli Sulaiman Zulkifli, 35, said many freelance runners are facing a tough time looking for jobs and a stable income.
"Thankfully I work for a car insurance company and have a steady stream of clients who regularly use our services so I haven't been affected as much," he said.
Fadli also said some JPJ centres and post offices don't provide physical stickers when asked and expect motorists to use the app instead.
"Many elderly customers feel uncomfortable driving without a renewed licence as they aren't digitally savvy enough to register for a digital road tax via MyJPJ.
Part-time runner Hazbullah Hazman, 20, who does road tax collection service for an insurance company said that the number of customers is still stable.
He said this was due to them being regular customers at the insurance company he is working for.
“So far, the number of customers is still stable because they regularly use our service. Maybe the new runners could have some difficulties because most of the motorists, especially the younger generation, are using online platforms (to renew their documents).
“Compared to the older generation, the young ones are more tech savvy, hence they will not use runners,” the marketing student said.
On Feb 10, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said drivers can obtain digital copies of their motor vehicle licence (commonly known as road tax) or their driving license on the JPJ portal or MyJPJ application.
Loke said Malaysian private vehicle owners will no longer need to display a physical copy of their road tax and driving licence.
On Aug 2, Loke said the digitalisation initiative will be implemented in stages and that there will come a time when road taxes will be fully digital.
While some motorists hailed Loke's announcement, others cited concerns such as security and accessibility.
Business operator Hud Abd Samad, who hires a runner to renew his road tax, said he will continue using the runners' services.
Hud said the runners help him avoid long waiting hours at the JPJ office whenever the permit for his commercial vehicles expire.
“Renewal permits are quite a tedious process because we need to take half a day to just go to the office. Their costs are also reasonable at around RM10 to RM15," he said.
Hud added that the runners he has hired are honest and accommodating to requests.
Freelance runner Muhammad Aiman Muhammad Bainun, 31 who provides road tax collection services online said the digital road tax hasn't affected his business as his clients are mostly close family members and friends.
"Runners will always be in demand as we help clients get a physical sticker," he said.
However, Aiman supported the government's initiative as many developed countries are moving towards a paperless era without physical copies.
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