Jakarta. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has thanked ride-hailing firm Grab Indonesia for its initiative to hire more disabled driver partners, especially those who are deaf.

Grab has initiated the "Break the Silence" program, in cooperation with the Indonesian Association for the Welfare of the Deaf (Gerkatin), and with the support of the Ministry of Transportation.

"We appreciate what is being done by Grab Indonesia, which has given us great innovations. On the other hand, this [program] is providing good jobs [for the disabled] and also serves as a good model for others," Budi said in Jakarta on Tuesday, after witnessing the signing of cooperation agreement between Grab Indonesia and Gerkatin.

Grab currently has 500 disabled driver partners in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, with plans to double this number by next year.

Grab will provide special features to its disabled driver partners, such as special instant messages to inform customers of their disabilities, as well as special signs on their vehicles.

"We hope [the initiative] will be implemented in many cities," Budi said, as quoted in a statement issued by the ministry.  

The Singapore-based transportation network company separately announced that it had contributed about $5.8 billion to the Southeast Asian economy in the 12-month period that ended in March this year.