Ride-sharing service Grab said it will be fast-tracking the implementation of a "panic button" allowing users to immediately alert police during emergencies, following news that one of its drivers had allegedly raped a passenger.

The panic button feature is currently only available for Grab drivers.

Bernama reported that a 30-year-old driver had been arrested for allegedly raping a woman passenger in his car at Bandar Putra Permai, Seri Kembangan yesterday.

Grab Malaysia country head Sean Goh said the driver involved has been removed from the service pending police investigations and described the incident as regrettable.

"The news is deeply distressing and our priority now is to assist and provide support to the passenger and her family, as well as fully cooperate with the police and relevant authorities," he said in a statement today.

"The safety of both our passengers and drivers is, and always will be, a priority for Grab. I am truly sorry that we have let down our users and community in this instance, and humbly ask our passengers and drivers to please allow us to keep improving the safety and reliability of our service."

Goh noted that Grab currently has in place rigorous screening of potential drivers, along with criminal background checks, a measure it plans to continue implementing.