by Sheeda Fathil
KLANG, Jan 21 — The Selangor government is looking into developing its own e-wallet application as part of its commitment towards becoming a smart state.
Its State Investment, Industry and Trade, Small and Medium Industries Committee chairman Datuk Teng Chang Khim said the e-wallet initiative would be designed to encourage the adoption of e-wallet and digital payments among Selangorians.
“The state government is considering and in the midst of studying on developing our own e-wallet application.
“But at first, we would need to educate and create awareness on the use of e-wallets, especially among the rural community, the elderly and the less informed groups,” he said after attending the Back to School program here on January 19.
Teng said e-wallet use offers many benefits, especially when it comes to security, environmental-friendly and improving cash flow.
“Extensive and comprehensive campaigns are necessary if we want everyone to adopt the cashless payment method,” he said.
The Federal government’s e-Tunai Rakyat programme was introduced to encourage people to make digital payments and encourage digital payment adoption among Malaysian consumers and merchants, particularly small retail businesses.
The government has allocated RM450mil to disburse RM30 worth of free shopping money to eligible Malaysians through three selected e-wallet operators, namely Grab, Boost, and Touch ‘n Go.
The RM30 e-wallet credit redemption started on January 15, 2020, and will end on March 14, 2020.
