By Selangor Journal Team
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 30 – Selangor and Penang have achieved a remarkable 90 per cent rate of user penetration in the digital payments segment in the public sector up to October this year, said Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet).
Its government digitalisation senior director Firdaus Ghani in a report by Berita Harian said the high record in both states are due to the strong commitment by the state governments in promoting cashless payment systems.
“We have been working with the Finance Ministry since 2019 to run the ‘Cashless Boleh’ campaign to support the development of digital payments in the public sector.
“Out of the 20 agencies that are collaborating with us, the user penetration rate in digital payments has reached 80 per cent.
“These agencies include key entities such as the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), collecting over 70 per cent of the Federal government’s revenue,” he was quoted by the Malay daily, today.
Perlis and Kedah recorded 60 per cent to 80 per cent, respectively, in digital payment penetration, followed by Perak and Johor, making notable progress with a recorded public sector digital payment penetration rates of 49 per cent and over 50 per cent, respectively.
Firdaus said that PayNet is currently in talks with the Finance Ministry to secure approval for the ‘Cashless Boleh 4.0’ campaign, with plans for it to commence as early as December.
The ‘Cashless Boleh 3.0’ campaign highlighted three significant achievements, namely to achieve an overall public sector digital payment penetration rate of 80 per cent, the state governments of Selangor and Penang successfully surpassing an 80 per cent digital payment penetration rate, and eight public sector ministries and agencies, which had previously relied on cash transactions, to have now achieved full digital payment penetration.
Meanwhile, Finance Ministry Deputy Secretary General (Management) Datin Rashidah Mohd Sies said that the government continues to focus on driving efficiencies and transparency within the public sector.
