KUALA LUMPUR — Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has urged the government to postpone the Gig Workers Bill 2025, calling for the draft law to be referred to a parliamentary select committee before being passed.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, he emphasised that while he supports the minister’s intentions, legislation should not be rushed at the expense of gig workers.
“I believe he is a kind-hearted person, with good intentions to help workers,” he said, referring to Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal warned against the attitude of passing a flawed law with the excuse that it could be fixed later.
“I see in this House, the backbenchers are using the argument, ‘let us pass it first, it is fine if it is not perfect’. I think this is not right, because the English proverb says the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and another proverb says the devil is in the details.”
After studying the Bill, he said he could not support it in its present form. “There are many gaps that must be addressed and improved. I agree with colleagues such as the MP for Alor Setar and many others — we are not traitors for questioning this Bill. Some out there accuse us of trying to destroy the rights and welfare of gig workers. That is not true.”
He stressed that all MPs wanted gig workers to be protected. “When we point out weaknesses, that is not betrayal. It is our responsibility as members of parliament to ensure the law genuinely protects the people, not only on paper.”
He added that gig workers were already covered since 2021 under the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme by the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso).
“The question is whether this Bill improves on the existing law or simply duplicates it, while adding burdens on gig workers.”
Citing international examples, he said Spain’s hasty legislation caused platforms to leave the country, leading to job losses.
Singapore, on the other hand, took a phased “sandbox” approach, focusing first on p-hailing and e-hailing drivers.
“If we ask for a deferral to conduct a regulatory impact assessment and establish a Gig Economy Commission, that is not a meaningless delay. That is how we ensure justice is truly delivered,” he said.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal noted that other groups such as the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) had also raised concerns.
He pointed out that many associations of p-hailing and e-hailing workers were not consulted, despite submitting memoranda urging parliament to delay the Bill.
He also criticised the lack of transparency in gig platforms’ use of algorithms. “I am saddened to see young people, especially Malays, under-employed and forced to become p-hailing and e-hailing drivers. They are at the mercy of the god of algorithms, the tyranny of algorithms. These platforms hide behind technology that can be manipulated, and we have no access to the source code or transparency on how the algorithm functions.”
He concluded by directly appealing to the minister: “I have nothing personal against you, I will support you brother. Just defer this to the parliamentary select committee, and we will discuss this properly. The opposition will support if the ministry truly defends the millions of gig workers out there. We ask the government and backbenchers to agree with us — let us defer this first, and God willing, we can make it better so the ministry can achieve its key performance indicators.”
The Gig Workers Bill 2025, tabled for its first reading on 25 August, seeks to define gig work, regulate payment terms, create dispute resolution mechanisms, and provide social protection.
However, both Suhakam and unions have cautioned that without deeper consultation and improvements, the legislation may not deliver meaningful safeguards for gig workers. — August 28, 2025