KUCHING, Nov 15: Sarawak is the first state in the country to implement an electronic wallet (e-wallet) payment solution.
Licenced under PaymentGalaxy Wallet and governed by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Sarawak Pay is a cashless mobile payment solution to empower Sarawak’s digital economy agenda.
The solution enables payment by way of e-wallet, credit card or Internet banking.
Speaking at the Sarawak Pay launch today, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said he is determined to ensure that the Sarawak digital economy agenda is successful.
He said Sarawak Pay and the drive towards the future digital economy is not to show off that Sarawak is tech-savvy, but mirrors the fact that the world is changing and with it, the way how business is transacted.
“It is also our duty to meet the aspirations of our young people. I have seen so much significant change in the last decade. If the state does not change or do anything now, we will be left behind,” he said.
The balance in a Sarawak Pay e-wallet may be topped up through Internet bankng or credit card.
The application is still in phase one of the rollout so BNM has limited each top-up amount to a maximum of RM200.
Next year, the state government will apply to BNM to expand the balance capacity up to a maximum of RM1,500.
Sarawak Pay also has a “Scan & Pay” feature that allows payment to be initiated by scanning the QR code on a bill statement.
This feature will provide much convenience in facilitating cashless payments including at hotel eating outlets.
Abang Johari said for the first phase pilot rollout, the “Scan & Pay” feature will be deployed for Sarawak Energy monthly consumption bill, Kuching Water Board monthly consumption bill, all 26 local councils’ assessment bills, Grand Margherita Hotel (10 outlets) and Riverside Majestic Hotel (14 outlets).
“Next year, the state government will expand the “Scan & Pay” feature to all government agencies, utility bills, local retailers and merchants in the state. In addition, we will also apply to BNM to include other features like Wallet Transfer, Pay Anyone, Go Dutch, Supplementary Wallet and Standing Instruction,” he added. — DayakDaily
