Latest news with #KPDN
The Star
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Converging on cashless: Taking the TNG eWallet app on a spin overseas
In the last five years, Malaysia has seen a boom in cashless payments, particularly through e-wallets in the wake of Covid-19 amid rising concerns of over physical contact and the need for safer transaction methods. From the 2024 Bank Negara Malaysia annual report, there were 14.7 billion consumer transactions made using e-payments (consisting of transactions made using payment cards, e-money purchase transactions and Financial Process Exchange or FPX transactions) totalling RM698.1bil. Of this, e-money transactions (consisting of e-wallets and card-based e-money) made up 38% of all e-payments in general. A further breakdown shows that 64% of all e-money transactions is attributed to e-wallets. This means that in terms of the share of e-payment transactions, e-money ranked second only to online banking, which is only slightly ahead at 39%. According to Muhamad Hanif Asa'Ari, director of distributive trade and service industry secretariat with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), achieving this took a collaborative effort between the government and private sector. Muhamad Hanif highlighted cross-ministry collaboration to boost e-wallet adoption among retailers, particularly in areas facing connectivity challenges. 'We are proud to apply the principle of a whole-of-government approach, whereby we understand that both the government and the private sectors must work together to achieve our aim of digital inclusivity in Malaysia. 'The private sector alone cannot achieve the growth that we expected without the government's support and vice versa. The government also cannot achieve the policy that we aim for without the support from the private sectors. 'This is the whole-of-government approach to ensure a win-win situation, both for the government and for the private sector,' he said during a talk session titled 'Driving Cashless Adoption and Technology in Rural Malaysia' at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. Muhamad Hanif highlighted cross-ministry collaboration to boost e-wallet adoption among retailers, particularly in areas facing connectivity challenges. As part of a whole-of-government approach, KPDN has worked with the Communications Ministry and aligned with telcos to expand coverage in rural areas lacking reliable Internet coverage to ensure inclusion in the digital economy for both urban and rural Malaysians. He further credited the growth to the various service providers operating in the country, along with the campaigning and advocacy conducted by the government via the Retail Digitalisation Initiative (Redi), a programme under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 aiming to encourage the use of cashless payments by rural small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). Key collaborators As of 2024, 2.6 million merchants in the country accept e-wallets as a payment method, with Muhamad Hanif citing strong cooperation between the public and private sectors as a key reason for this achievement. The current level of adoption far exceeds the original target of 15,000 merchants by 2025 set by KPDN under Redi. For the upcoming Thirteenth Malaysia Plan, Muhamad Hanif says the Ministry aims to narrow the digital gap, targeting an increase in rural e-wallet adoption from 36.5% to match the urban usage rate of 63.8%. Such collaborations include efforts to onboard merchants for QR payments by e-wallet providers like TNG Digital, the company behind the Touch 'n Go (TNG) eWallet. TNG Digital chief operations officer Mohd Herman Sarbini said that 38% of PayNet merchants were acquired by TNG eWallet. Mohd Herman added that the support from the government through initiatives like eMadani and eBelia have been critical in driving e-wallet adoption by Malaysian consumers. One such merchant is Yiap Phing Phing, director of Penang-based Village Burger, who shared her positive experience in transitioning from a cash-only business that went digital with assistance from TNG Digital. 'Once we went digital, we started seeing things we didn't notice before. 'Before that, we were operating in the dark. We didn't know what sold well, when we were busiest, and who our loyal customers were. 'But now with digital records, we can see it all, like tracking our sales, predicting our busy hours, and giving rewards to our loyal customers. 'This isn't just business anymore, it's strategy,' she said, adding that 'our cash handling got easier, queues moved faster and our daily closing was smoother'. 'Going cashless wasn't just about a payment method. It became a better way to serve our customers, especially during rush hour,' said Yiap. Mohd Herman, who also gave a talk at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, added that the support from the government through initiatives like eMadani and eBelia have been critical in driving adoption by Malaysian consumers. 'About 25 million recipient of users have benefited from the programme itself. And from there, I think we are the only e-wallet that participated in all six programmes throughout the six years,' he said. Most recently, in early May, TNG eWallet opened registration to Asean travellers planning to visit Malaysia, aiming to let tourists shop like locals and spend at local businesses, particularly SMEs and micro-SMEs. The e-wallet also plans to offer a business-centric wallet in the near future, which would provide SMEs with financial services and lending. It will further be adding an in-app menu ordering feature at supported restaurants, similar to what is offered in the AliPay app, sometime next year. Adventures in Japan TNG eWallet also offers some travel-centric offerings, such as insurance, providing coverage for travel cancellations or loss of deposits, lost or damaged luggage, medical, and personal accidents. This is alongside bookings for both flights and tours or experiences via Firefly and Klook integrated directly within the e-wallet. Visitors from Malaysia will be able to enjoy a familiar payment experience at convenience stores, most major shopping outlets, and certain restaurant chains. There's also the option to get a roaming eSIM for a specific country or region to skip the hassle of fumbling about at the airport to switch in a new SIM card, along with cross-border payments via integration with three separate payment infrastructures, or rails, those being PayNet, Visa, and AliPay+. The QR payment offering is pretty handy from LifestyleTech's experience in Japan while attending the 2025 World Expo, with a solid portion of storefronts in central Osaka accepting Malaysia's TNG eWallet, thanks to local payment provider PayPay's partnership with AliPay+. While certainly not seamless since Japan is still a cash-centric country at its core, visitors from Malaysia will be able to enjoy a familiar payment experience at convenience stores, most major shopping outlets, and certain restaurant chains. For transportation, the various Osaka metro train lines accepted debit and credit cards, though the trams accepted only cash or Japan-specific payment cards. Travellers looking to make QR payments can look for stickers displaying the TNG eWallet, PayPay, or Alipay+ logos, or simply ask the store attendants or retail staff if they accept any of those options. However, it's still a good idea to keep some Japanese yen or a credit card on hand to cover all bases, just in case QR payments aren't supported.
New Straits Times
16 hours ago
- New Straits Times
KPDN seizes RM50k worth of subsidised LPG in Mantin
SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has foiled an attempt to siphon subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) worth an estimated RM50,000, following a raid on an illegal storage facility in Mantin. Its director, Muhammad Zahir Mazlan, said the raid was conducted under Ops Gasak after a week-long surveillance of the syndicate's activities. He said checks at the premises revealed that it was being used as an illegal storage and transfer point for subsidised gas into unauthorised cylinders, mostly carried out at night to evade detection by the authorities. "The raiding team successfully seized 150 LPG cylinders of various brands and sizes, along with decanting equipment and several business documents believed to have been used in the illegal operation. "The total value of the seizure is estimated to exceed RM50,000. "The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which provides for a maximum fine of RM1 million, or imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction," he said.
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Perak's ‘Kita MADANI X' carnival brings gov't services, info closer to the people
MANJUNG: The 'Karnival Kita MADANI X' programme held at Arena Square in Taman Samudera here served as a high-impact platform to deliver government information and services directly to the public. Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Strategic Communications and Creative Industry), Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin, said the carnival, which drew over 1,000 visitors from various backgrounds, aimed to broaden public understanding of government policies and initiatives through a more grassroots and people-centric approach. He said the one-day event featured participation from 21 government and private agencies, including the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). 'Key highlights of the carnival included the Rahmah Sales and Agro MADANI, exhibitions and services by various government agencies, free health and dental check-ups, colouring contests, traditional games and a community feast,' he said. He was speaking at a press conference after officiating the carnival, which was also attended by Information Department deputy director-general (Strategic Communications) Rubaayah Osman and Perak Information Director, Yosri Abu Mahsin. Nik Kamaruzaman said the carnival also served to promote the upcoming Program MADANI Rakyat (PMR) for Perak, which will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Lumut Waterfront from June 13 to 15. He said the upcoming event will take on a carnival format and feature the delivery of services across seven core components aimed at providing tangible benefits to the public. 'This programme (PMR) opens up space for the people to engage directly with various government agencies, seek advice, register for assistance, give feedback and participate in a variety of engaging activities that have been planned,' he said. He said the programme also reflects the values of Malaysia MADANI, which are built on the spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility.
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
‘Kita MADANI X' carnival brings gov't services closer to the people
MANJUNG: The 'Karnival Kita MADANI X' programme held at Arena Square in Taman Samudera here served as a high-impact platform to deliver government information and services directly to the public. Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Strategic Communications and Creative Industry), Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin, said the carnival, which drew over 1,000 visitors from various backgrounds, aimed to broaden public understanding of government policies and initiatives through a more grassroots and people-centric approach. He said the one-day event featured participation from 21 government and private agencies, including the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). 'Key highlights of the carnival included the Rahmah Sales and Agro MADANI, exhibitions and services by various government agencies, free health and dental check-ups, colouring contests, traditional games and a community feast,' he said. He was speaking at a press conference after officiating the carnival, which was also attended by Information Department deputy director-general (Strategic Communications) Rubaayah Osman and Perak Information Director, Yosri Abu Mahsin. Nik Kamaruzaman said the carnival also served to promote the upcoming Program MADANI Rakyat (PMR) for Perak, which will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Lumut Waterfront from June 13 to 15. He said the upcoming event will take on a carnival format and feature the delivery of services across seven core components aimed at providing tangible benefits to the public. 'This programme (PMR) opens up space for the people to engage directly with various government agencies, seek advice, register for assistance, give feedback and participate in a variety of engaging activities that have been planned,' he said. He said the programme also reflects the values of Malaysia MADANI, which are built on the spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility.
Sinar Daily
2 days ago
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Delay use of commercial LPG, burdens small traders
Rosol also stressed that any subsidy restructuring must be carried out cautiously, with clear communication and appropriate support incentives. The government is urged to postpone the mandatory use of 14-kilogramme commercial LPG cylinders for small traders. Inset: Rosol – Stock photo KUALA LUMPUR – The government has been urged to postpone the mandatory implementation of the use of 14-kilogramme commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders for small traders, which took effect on May 1. Hulu Terengganu Member of Parliament Datuk Rosol Wahid said the move not only caused operational costs to surge by up to threefold but also put pressure on small traders already struggling to stay afloat. 'Many food business owners have complained to me that they previously spent around RM2,600 a month on gas, but now they are forced to bear costs reaching RM7,000 after being directed to use commercial LPG,' he said in a statement on Thursday. The former Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) deputy minister said the situation worsened as many traders became targets of Op Gasak over the past three weeks, with some fined and their gas cylinders confiscated by the authorities. 'I sympathise with the plight of small traders who are not only burdened by the high cost of living but are now facing pressure from a hastily implemented policy by the Madani government,' he said. Rosol also stressed that any subsidy restructuring must be carried out cautiously, with clear communication and appropriate support incentives. 'The chain reaction from this cost increase will ultimately be borne by consumers. Don't be unjust to the people,' he added. Therefore, he urged the government to postpone the implementation until a targeted aid plan and suitable support measures are introduced for small traders. 'At the very least, the government must have a dedicated plan to ease the cost burden so that end users do not have to bear the sudden impact,' he said.
