Cashless Society Pilot Programme Launched In N.Sembilan To Boost Digitalisation

SEREMBAN, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- In line with the state government’s vision to drive comprehensive digitalisation, residents in Seremban, mainly traders, are being given exposure to cashless payment methods through the Cashless Society Pilot Programme.

Seremban City Council (MBS) mayor Datuk Masri Razali said the initiative, led by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and MBS, seeks to increase consumer awareness and foster confidence in using cashless transactions.

He explained that the programme focuses on the retail and business sectors through two approaches, namely policy intervention and digital premises, which are expected to have a positive effect on the operations of local traders.

“Regarding policy intervention, MCMC, in collaboration with the state government, has introduced a requirement for business licence applications or renewals. Traders are encouraged to provide cashless payment options such as e-wallets, DuitNow QR codes, credit cards, debit cards and mobile banking.

“The shift towards cashless payments is seen as a crucial step in advancing digitalisation across the state more comprehensively,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters at the launch of the state-level Cashless Society Pilot Programme 2024 at Pasar Baru Ampangan recently, which was also attended by Negeri Sembilan MCMC director Md Tahir Musa and MCMC Community and Future Inclusion Division senior director Jafizwaty Ishahak.

On the programme with market traders, Masri said this effort is vital for strengthening the local economy, especially for players in the retail sector.

The Seremban District Cashless Carnival, which ran from July 27 to Aug 3 as part of the NS Fest Carnival at Dataran Nilai, received an excellent response, with thousands of visitors to the MCMC booths, and a total of 276 traders were successfully registered for digital premises.

Meanwhile, grocery trader Munira Mohd Raihan, 36, said that using QR codes has significantly helped her business by reducing the need to handle large amounts of cash, as all transactions are now cashless.

Coconut milk seller Hanafi Abdullah, 24, shared the same sentiment, noting that QR code payments reduce the risk of theft or losing money in the shop.

“We trust our staff, but we still need to be cautious. Using cashless payments helps reduce the risk of being scammed or losing money,” he said.

A visitor at the market, A. Archana, 32, told Bernama that she prefers using QR code payments over cash because they are more convenient and faster.

-- BERNAMA