By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, May 6: Farmers in remote and rural areas such as Lingga, Pantu, Tebedu, Asajaya and Sebuyau will be able to utilise mobile banking services to withdraw money for their payments soon.
This follows the launching of mobile banking services of four banking groups by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg today.
Abang Johari said Agrobank, which is one of the banking groups providing mobile banking services, will be serving the people in Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Sematan, Lingga, Pantu, Tebedu, Asajaya and Sebuyau.
“These areas are agricultural areas and the bank can provide services to farmers which are involved in the agriculture sector.
“We are also building the coastal highway.
“The infrastructure in those areas will also be upgraded which will provide a positive impact for agriculture and tourism sectors,” he said during a press conference after launching the mobile banking services for rural and remote areas at the Old State Legislative building here today.
Abang Johari, who is also Finance and Economic Planning Minister, said such mobile banking services serving rural areas would be the first in Malaysia and in Sarawak.
He disclosed that the mobile banking services will be served by Agrobank, Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia (Bank Rakyat) and RHB Bank.
Meanwhile, each bank has been armed with a special vehicle whereby all the banking services are available within the vehicle.
In the meantime, BSN will be providing mobile banking services to the people in Sebauh and Sungai Asap.
Besides, RHB Bank will be rolling out its mobile banking services to the people in Asajaya, Sadong Jaya, Balingian, Oya and Igan while Bank Rakyat will be offering its mobile banking services in Sebauh, Tatau, Sungai Asap and Belaga.
Abang Johari added the mobile banking services is a new approach which will reduce the burden of the people staying in the remote and rural areas of Sarawak seeking banking services there.
He revealed that the Sarawak government has provided RM1.6 million as startup capital for the banks to initiate the mobile banking services in the rural and remote areas.
Among those present during the launching of the mobile banking services were Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, Deputy State Secretary Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and representatives from the four banking institutions. — DayakDaily
