GRABCAR MANDARIN FEATURE PAUSED AFTER BACKLASH OVER TOURIST SERVICE
GrabCar Mandarin Feature Paused Amid Backlash Despite Tourist Demand
Grab has temporarily paused its Mandarin-speaking driver feature after receiving public backlash, even though the option was designed to serve Malaysia’s growing number of Chinese tourists.
Mandarin Option Aimed at Tourist Surge
The feature allowed users to choose Mandarin-speaking drivers at a higher fare. Grab confirmed it was part of a trial, not a permanent rollout. It was introduced to address the sharp rise in Mandarin-speaking tourists visiting Malaysia.
Tourism data shows that 1.4 million Chinese tourists visited the country between January and April 2025. Based on this trend, Grab decided to test whether language-specific rides could enhance the travel experience.
“This experiment was crucial to test the sustainability and demand among tourists, as we work towards introducing support for other additional languages,” Grab said.
Feature Faces Backlash, Gets Paused
Despite its intended goal, the feature drew criticism from some Malaysians who felt it was exclusionary. Heated reactions on social media led Grab to halt the experiment.
“We have since paused the experiment to review our findings and to plan for future rollout of other language-ride offerings that are not only guided by tourism data, but also through an internally-conducted language-proficiency survey with our driver-partners community,” Grab said.
The company clarified that this was a test, not a permanent change. If the service returns, it will be open to all eligible drivers, regardless of ethnicity or background.
Grab Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusivity
Grab reiterated its focus on building an inclusive and fair platform. The company said it would keep collecting feedback from users and drivers alike while exploring better earning opportunities.
“We value all the feedback that was shared with us and will continue engaging with our community as we explore additional earning opportunities for driver-partners. We remain committed to building an inclusive platform that supports national goals and the livelihoods of our partners while catering to the needs of consumers.”
Although the Mandarin option is paused for now, Grab hinted that similar features in other languages could be introduced in the future. The rollout will depend on both user demand and internal assessments.
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