Latest news with #Touch'nGoeWallet
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Banks, fintech players step up cross-border expansion and collaboration in Asean
KUALA LUMPUR: Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across Asean, adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region's digital financial services landscape. Reflecting this regional shift, CIMB Bank Bhd and CIMB Malaysia CEO Gurdip Singh Sidhu said the bank is scaling its Asean presence through both physical expansion and cross-border digital offerings, a strategy that has enabled it to serve over 50 million users across Southeast Asia. 'We may historically be viewed as a legacy financial institution, but we are accelerating our digital transformation. At the same time, we are also the largest investor in Touch 'n Go Digital, which operates the largest e-wallet in Malaysia, and functions as a non-bank digital super app, facilitating smoother transactions. 'With Touch 'n Go eWallet now supported on the Alipay+ platform, cross-border payments are seamless for both foreign visitors and Malaysians abroad, while also enabling local small and medium enterprises to accept payments from international customers,' he said during a media panel session titled 'Going Beyond Borders: How Fintechs and Financial Institutions are Redefining Regional Scale' on Tuesday. On regional expansion, Gurdip highlighted CIMB's success in the Philippines, where the bank established a digital-first presence from the ground up in just six years. 'We partnered with the leading local e-wallet and initially offered banking products via their front end before launching our own app. Today, we serve nearly 10 million customers. All through digital,' he said. In support of broader regional integration, global digital payment and fintech provider Ant International is also strengthening cross-border infrastructure through its Alipay+ platform. Ant International general manager of global business services and support, Jake Xue, said the company is expanding its cross-border payment infrastructure and digital financial services to connect 1.7 billion users with over 100 million merchants worldwide. 'Malaysia is strategic to our global vision, not only as a gateway to Asean, but also as a source of diverse and digitally savvy talent,' he said, adding that the company plans to grow its Malaysian team to 1,000 employees by the year-end, up from 800 currently. On supporting startups with regional ambitions, Xue said Ant International forms strategic partnerships with both local and regional players. 'With startups, we co-develop solutions and provide global exposure through initiatives such as our 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion programme,' he said. Meanwhile Visa head of Products and Solutions for Regional Southeast Asia, Kim Hak, said cross-border payments remain complex and require careful planning and coordination, making interoperability and shared standards essential. 'It comes down to trust in the system. If a fintech enters the space without a proven track record, having consistent, recognised standards or interoperable frameworks helps build confidence – both for us as partners and for their ability to scale,' he said. Fintech Association of Malaysia president Anil Singh Gill said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is now globally recognised as one of the most solid and competent regulators in terms of financial governance for both institutions and fintechs. 'BNM has clear guidelines like Risk Management in Technology, which help immensely. But what we may need next is open finance, this could introduce competition and transparency that further reinforces trust,' he said. Nexea CEO Ben Lim opined that corporate partnership can serve as a strong vote of confidence for startups, signalling they have passed due diligence and are ready to scale. 'For example, one of our other startups, Lapasa, grew 16 times – 1,600% in a single year – simply because it secured one large corporate client. Such clients can provide the leap needed for startups to go regional or even global,' he said. The media panel session was held on the sidelines of MyFintech Week 2025, which runs from Aug 4 to 7 and gathers nearly 1,000 industry leaders, regulators and innovators to explore the future of finance and technology. With the theme 'Ideate, Innovate, Co-create: Shaping the Future of Finance', the third edition of MyFW 2025 reinforces its role as Malaysia's flagship fintech event. The event is co-organised by BNM, the Securities Commission Malaysia, the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers, the Fintech Association of Malaysia and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation. This year's programme features keynote addresses, panel discussions, masterclasses, workshops, and live demonstrations, spotlighting trends and solutions driving innovation and financial inclusion. – Bernama
Business Wire
31-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Google Play Integrates K PLUS via Antom Merchant Payment Service, Expanding Payment Options for Users in Thailand
SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Google Play, Ant International's Antom and KASIKORNBANK today announced the launch of K PLUS as a new local payment method on Google Play, marking the first time that a SEA mobile banking app is made available as a payment option in the platform. Google Play gives users one place to find, enjoy and share their favorite apps, games, books and more, for any Android device. K PLUS, operated by KASIKORNBANK, is one of SEA's most widely used mobile banking apps. Its 14 million users on Android devices will be able to pay for global and local digital content on Google Play using their everyday banking app. The rollout also marks the first time that Antom, the unified merchant payment service under Ant International, enables recurring payment capabilities on a banking app to support global enterprise merchants, building on its experience with digital wallets. Antom has been a strategic partner to Google Play in expanding payment options in Asia Pacific (APAC), and continues driving growth in both transaction volumes and user acquisitions. With the K PLUS launch, Antom further strengthens its collaboration with Google Play, by adding digital wallets that serve millions of users in the region. Leveraging its AI-driven solutions for payment orchestration, risk management and digital marketing, Antom supports merchants to integrate over 300 payment methods across over 100 currencies in its extensive global acquiring network. The Asia Pacific region leads the world in digital payment adoption, accounting for nearly two-thirds of global digital wallet spend in 2024, according to a Deloitte report 1. In response to this growth, Antom has helped Google Play enable a growing list of leading payment options including DANA, GCash and Touch 'n Go eWallet since 2022. Google Play and Antom will continue to work together to increase local payment coverage and enhance payment experiences. Beyond payments, Antom also supports Google Play in launching digital campaigns through its A+ Rewards, an in-App digital marketing platform powered by privacy-preserving computing and AI technologies. Embedded within leading e-wallets across Asia, A+Rewards connects Google Play with hundreds of millions of e-wallet users. Over 2023 and 2024, consumers claimed over 20 million Google Play vouchers from A+Rewards on regional e-wallets. 'Google Play is committed to continuously providing the best experience for users and supporting the growth of the digital ecosystem for developers. We're excited to announce that Google Play now supports K PLUS as a new payment option in Thailand,' said Zulfi Rahardian, Head of Google Play Retail & Payments Activation, Southeast Asia. 'With this launch, we hope Thai consumers can purchase games, apps, entertainment and digital content more easily through safe, fast, and seamless transactions.' 'At KASIKORNBANK, we are committed to continuously enhancing our digital payment infrastructure to offer our customers a seamless, fast, and secure financial experience. This collaboration with Google Play and Antom expands payment choices for Google Play users in Thailand, allowing them to pay directly for apps and digital content by linking their account with K PLUS. We are proud to be the first bank in Thailand and SEA to enable mobile banking payments on Google Play. Today, we have around 14 million K PLUS users on Android, and our goal is to have more than 1 million linked accounts by the end of 2025,' said Dr. Ketchayong Skowratananont, Executive Vice President of KASIKORNBANK. 'Payment localisation isn't just about convenience. It's about building the infrastructure for digital inclusion,' said Gary Liu, General Manager of Antom, Ant International. 'We're excited to expand our collaboration with Google Play by introducing K PLUS as a new payment option. With AI-powered solutions, we aim to make digital payments easier and more secure while helping merchants scale more efficiently.' This collaboration forms a pillar of the broader strategic partnership between Google and Ant International. About KASIKORNBANK KASIKORNBANK PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED operates business in line with the principles of a Bank of Sustainability, focusing on delivering sustainable value to all stakeholders. This is achieved through good corporate governance and appropriate risk and cost management. KBank has unveiled our '3+1 Strategy and Productivity', building our strengths and enhancing our capabilities in several areas. Our strategic priorities are to reinvigorate credit performance, scale our capital-lite fee income business, and strengthen and pioneer sales and service models to reaffirm K PLUS's leadership. Concurrently, the Bank has implemented strategies to help create new revenue in the medium- and long-term, while also enhancing our competitiveness via key enablers including technology, scalable data and analytics, and being a performance-driven organization. About Antom Ant International's Antom is the leading payment and digitisation services provider for merchants around the world. It offers unified, vertical-specific digital payment solutions to serve businesses of all sizes. Antom supports merchants to integrate over 300 payment methods, enabling them to connect with consumers in more than 200 markets, with the flexibility to accept payments in more than 100 currencies. Beyond payments, it provides digital marketing solutions and merchant digitisation services to help merchant streamline operations and enhance customer engagement. To learn more, please visit
Barnama
25-06-2025
- Barnama
- Is A Trustless Society The Future
Opinions on topical issues from thought leaders, columnists and editors. A trustless society doesn't mean people are more dishonest. In fact, it means we are beginning to depend on systems and technology that don't require trust at all. Instead of trusting each other, we trust machines, apps, and coded rules to keep everything fair and square. In today's fast-moving world, a strange new term is now making waves: 'trustless society'. At first glance, it sounds like a dystopian nightmare which refers to a world where no one trusts anyone. But the truth is more complicated and, in some ways, already a part of our lives. These systems are designed so that transactions and interactions can happen without personal trust. They rely on clear rules, automatic processes, and transparent data. You don't have to worry whether the other person is honest because the system will take care of everything. It sounds great and convincing right? In traditional societies, trust is a key part of peoples' lives. We trust our neighbours, our teachers, and our communities. Trust makes us feel safe, belong and connected. But as the world becomes more digitalised and automated, many of our interactions no longer depend on trust between people. We depend so much on machines and computers. And that's where trustless systems come in. All of these examples remove the need for personal trust and replace it with system reliability. And believe it or not, we're already surrounded by trustless systems. Here are just a few examples: The good and the bad There are some major benefits to this new way of doing things: Less Room for Corruption: Automated systems follow rules strictly. They don't play favourites or accept bribes. Faster Processes: Trustless systems remove delays caused by paperwork, middlemen, or negotiations. Global Reach: You can do business with someone across the world without ever meeting them because the system handles everything. This kind of efficiency has huge value in a fast-paced, global economy. But as we rely more on trustless systems, there's a danger of losing something important: human connection. In a fully trustless society, people become more like users than neighbours. Instead of building relationships, we build profiles. Instead of offering a handshake, we scan a QR code. Everything becomes about the transaction not the trust behind it. And while machines and computers may be fair and fast, they can't be understanding or forgiving. A system can't show empathy if you miss a payment. It can't recognise good intentions when a mistake happens. It follows rules, nothing more. In some cases, this can lead to cold and rigid outcomes, especially for people in difficult situations. Malaysia's cashless and digital governance In Malaysia, we're also seeing signs of a shift toward a trustless society, especially with the rise of cashless payments, e-wallets, and digital public services. For example, apps like Touch 'n Go eWallet, GrabPay, and Boost have made it easy for people to buy groceries, pay bills, ride public transport, and even donate to charity, without carrying a single ringgit in their pockets. You don't need to trust the hawker stall uncle or the parking attendant; you just scan the QR code, and the system handles the rest. Similarly, the MySejahtera app during the COVID-19 pandemic was a clear example of digital governance. It allowed the government to trace contacts, manage vaccine appointments, and monitor health status through automation, minimising the need for face-to-face checks or personal trust in reporting. Even JPJ's MySikap system and KWSP's i-Akaun now allow Malaysians to manage road tax, EPF contributions, and withdrawals online, reducing human involvement and relying instead on automated rules and systems. These tools increase efficiency and transparency, but they also raise questions about privacy, data security, and whether we are trading away human interaction for convenience. It's a powerful reminder that while technology helps us do more, it shouldn't replace the values that hold our society together. Let's be clear: there's nothing inherently wrong with using systems that help us avoid fraud, speed things up, or simplify life. But we must also ask: At what cost? If we depend too much on systems, we may lose the skills and values that come from personal trust: patience, forgiveness, loyalty, and kindness. These are things that no app or algorithm can replace. For example, a community that helps each other during hard times isn't built by rules, it's built by people who care and trust one another. The way forward for us The key isn't to reject technology or trustless systems but to balance them with the human side of society. We can use trustless systems for what they do best: securing transactions, protecting data, enforcing fairness. But we should also invest in relationships, build strong communities, and teach values like honesty and empathy. A world run by code may be efficient, but a world run by compassion is what truly makes life worth living. As we move toward a more digital future, the idea of a trustless society will continue to grow. But we shouldn't let technology replace the human heart of our communities. After all, no system, no matter how smart can hug a child, help a friend, or offer a second chance. Let's build a future where trustless systems support us but where real trust still brings us together. --- BERNAMA Prof Dr Noor Ismawati Jaafar (isma_jaafar@ is a Professor in Information Systems at the Department of Decision Science, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya.
Daily Express
16-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
The fastest vanishing careers
Published on: Monday, June 16, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 16, 2025 By: K Krishnan Text Size: LAST WEEK we looked at the fastest growing careers. This week let us look at the fast vanishing careers. Some careers that were once considered stable and lucrative are disappearing at an alarming artificial intelligence (AI), and shifting economic demands are making certain jobs obsolete. Advertisement For students, youths, and even parents guiding their children's career choices, understanding these trends is crucial to avoid investing time and money in a dying profession. This article explores the fastest-vanishing careers in Malaysia and globally, why they are declining, and what future-proof alternatives exist. Jobs Being Replaced by Technology # Cashiers and Retail Sales Assistants With the rise of self-checkout kiosks, e-commerce and cashless payments (like GrabPay, Touch 'n Go eWallet and Boost), the need for human cashiers is shrinking. Supermarkets like AEON and Tesco are increasingly adopting automated systems, reducing the demand for traditional cashiers. Alternative Careers: Digital payment specialists, e-commerce managers, or customer experience designers. # Data Entry Clerks AI and software can now input, sort, and manage data faster and more accurately than humans. Many companies in Malaysia are using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and robotic process automation (RPA) to handle paperwork. Alternative Careers: Data analysts, cybersecurity experts, or AI trainers. # Telemarketers Robocalls and AI chatbots (like those used by banks and telcos) are replacing human telemarketers. Customers also prefer digital communication (WhatsApp, email) over unsolicited sales calls. Alternative Careers: Digital marketing specialists, social media managers, or customer relationship managers. Jobs Disrupted by Digital Transformation # Print Journalists and Newspaper Deliverers As news shifts online, print media is declining. Many Malaysian newspapers have reduced circulation or moved to digital-only formats. Similarly, newspaper delivery jobs are vanishing as readers get news from platforms like Malay Mail Online, The Star Online and social media. Alternative Careers: Content creators, digital journalists, or multimedia reporters. # Travel Agents With websites like Expedia, Agoda, and AirAsia's direct booking options, fewer people rely on travel agents. Even traditional tour operators are struggling as DIY travel planning becomes easier. Alternative Careers: Travel bloggers, digital nomad consultants, or experience curators for niche tourism (e.g., eco-tourism). # Bank Tellers Online banking (Maybank2u, CIMB Clicks) and ATMs have reduced the need for human tellers. Banks are now focusing more on digital financial services. Alternative Careers: Fintech specialists, financial advisors, or blockchain developers. Manual and Routine Jobs at Risk # Factory Assembly Line Workers Automation and robotics (like those in Penang's electronics factories) are replacing repetitive manual jobs. Even car manufacturers like Proton and Perodua use robotic arms for precision tasks. Alternative Careers: Robotics technicians, industrial engineers, or automation specialists. # Drivers (Taxi, Lorry, Delivery) While still in demand now, autonomous vehicles and drones threaten driving jobs. Companies like Tesla and Google are testing self-driving cars, while drone deliveries (like those experimented with by Pos Malaysia) could replace couriers. Alternative Careers: Logistics analysts, drone operators, or EV (electric vehicle) technicians. # Postal Workers With emails, e-bills, and digital signatures, traditional mail is declining. Pos Malaysia has shifted focus to parcel deliveries (thanks to Shopee and Lazada), but automation may further reduce human roles. Alternative Careers: Supply chain managers, last-mile delivery coordinators. Traditional Skilled Jobs Under Threat # Librarians With Google, e-books, and digital archives, physical libraries are less critical. Schools and universities are investing in digital resources instead. Alternative Careers: Digital archivists, information curators, or research analysts. # Typists and Secretaries Voice-to-text software (like Google Docs' voice typing) and virtual assistants (Siri, Alexa) are reducing the need for human typists. Many executive tasks are now automated. Alternative Careers: Executive assistants with tech skills, virtual office managers. # Traditional Printers and Typesetters Digital publishing and 3D printing are making old-school printing presses irrelevant. Even small businesses now use Canva and online printing services. Alternative Careers: Graphic designers, 3D printing technicians. What Should Students and Youths Do 1. Upskill in Technology Jobs in AI, cybersecurity, data science, and programming (Python, Java) are booming. Free courses on Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning can help. 2. Focus on Creative and Critical Thinking Roles Jobs requiring human empathy (psychologists, teachers) or creativity (designers, writers) are harder to automate. 3. Consider Green and Sustainable Careers Renewable energy (solar, EV), environmental science, and sustainable business are growing fields in Malaysia. 4. Be Adaptable The job market will keep evolving. Lifelong learning is key. Advice for Parents Encourage STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education but also soft skills. Support your child's interest in emerging fields like AI, digital marketing, or green energy. Avoid pushing them into 'safe' careers that may not exist in 10 years. Conclusion The job market is transforming rapidly, and some careers won't survive the next decade. By staying informed and adaptable, Malaysian students and youths can future-proof their careers. Instead of fearing automation, they should leverage technology to build sustainable, high-demand careers. For parents, the best support is guidance – not insistence on outdated career paths. The future belongs to those who prepare for it today. Note: What vanishing careers worry you the most? Share your thoughts with us at: [email protected]
Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Tourists visiting Malaysia can now sign up for Touch 'n Go eWallet to make QR payments
Tourists visiting Malaysia can now sign up for Touch 'n Go eWallet to make QR payments PETALING JAYA - Foreign tourists visiting Malaysia from Asean countries can now register for the Touch 'n Go eWallet to enable cashless payments via QR code at supported merchants nationwide. This includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Touch 'n Go Digital says the move is especially beneficial for local businesses, such as hawkers, which typically do not accept card payments. Visitors to Malaysia registered with the Touch 'n Go eWallet app will be able to top up their balance using credit or debit cards issued by banks in their home country. They are also not required to use a Malaysian phone number for registration, as verification codes will be sent via WhatsApp. The ewallet operator further says that this would be expanded to other non-Asean markets soon, including China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and more. For more information on the registration process, those planning a visit to Malaysia can visit the Touch 'n Go eWallet website. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
