Everything changed when Maimun discovered Jom Makcik, a social enterprise under Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The service provides travel companionship for women, senior citizens, and people with disabilities (PWDs).
“When she first heard about our service, she was amazed,” Sazlina Kamaralzaman, the brains behind Jom Makcik, shared with FMT Lifestyle. “She couldn’t believe she was paying so much for an ambulance when our service would cost her half the price.”
Moments like this, said Sazlina, 53, reaffirm the mission behind Jom Makcik – providing not just transport but also dignity and care to those who need it most.
Co-founded in 2018 by Sazlina and her daughter, Jom Makcik is far more than an e-hailing service. What began as a platform for women to earn an income through gig work, has grown into a lifeline for underserved communities.
“A platform like ours is important because it fills in the gap that people may not see. We have a lot of e-hailing services here. Unfortunately, some of our customers, especially the elderly, don’t know how to use the app.
“For people with disabilities, there is not much transportation available for them and many women have experienced sexual harassment,” Sazlina, a lecturer at UKM’s faculty of health sciences, explained.
Safety is a key focus for Jom Makcik, which exclusively hires female drivers, known as Adinita (derived from the term “adiwira wanita,” meaning “female heroes”). The drivers, aged 20 to 55, include retirees eager to spend their free time contributing to a good cause while earning an income.
With nearly 600 drivers in its network, the platform ensures fair pay: drivers retain 75% of the booking fee, while the remainder supports platform maintenance.
Currently, Jom Makcik provides three services, namely e-hailing, chaperone, and adapted car service, all done via their user-friendly web-based platform or hotline. Works are already underway to develop an app to further streamline the process.
The inspiration for Jom Makcik came from recurring issues Sazlina encountered in her work with PWDs and the elderly. “We’ve had many patients who said, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t come to therapy because I don’t have anyone to take me there,’ or ‘I don’t have anyone to accompany me,’” Sazlina recalled.
The platform, initially called Makcik Travels, soon became known for its personalised touch. “It’s not just about driving – it’s about companionship,” said Sazlina. Families often request drivers to stay with their loved ones during hospital visits, providing reassurance and support.
The introduction of AbiliCar marked a turning point. These imported Japanese vehicles, equipped with ramps, offer a safe and affordable solution for wheelchair users. “We were the first to provide this,” Sazlina said. “It’s become our most popular service now.”
Currently operating in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Negeri Sembilan, Jom Makcik aims to expand their services to other states.
Sazlina hopes to inspire women nationwide to replicate the service in their own communities. “If we can empower women, especially in areas with many elderly people, that would be amazing,” she said.
Despite its success, Jom Makcik faces challenges, particularly with the high cost of AbiliCar vehicles – each costing RM98,000 due to import taxes. To address this, Sazlina is lobbying for lower taxes and a dedicated category for modified vehicles under Malaysia’s Land Public Transport Agency.
“This is something the government should look into because the reason there is a gap is because of this issue. If there are more cars that are less costly, I think more people will have modified cars for their parents,” said Sazlina. “If the government could create a category for modified vehicles for services like ours, it would make a huge difference.”
After all, from providing a lifeline for women like Maimun to empowering female gig workers, Jom Makcik is proving that a little care and “car” can go a long way.
Find out more about Jom Makcik here. Follow Jom Makcik on Instagram.