Abang Johari (fifth left) launches the Sarawak Pay-BSN Fintech in Sebauh, witnessed by other dignitaries.
SEBAUH: The rural communities in Sarawak can now be part of the state’s digital economy drive with the launch of Sarawak Pay-BSN Fintech – a collaboration between the state’s e-wallet application and Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN).
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who officiated at the launch here yesterday, said to date, Sarawak Pay had recorded more than RM22 million in cashless transactions.
He said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led government could work closely with federal government agencies, pointing to the collaboration between Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) and BSN as means of bringing technology to rural parts of Sarawak.
“When we talk, we do it. Now the Sarawak government can have good collaboration with the federal government for the sake of the interests of the people.
“This collaboration is also very significant to the state, as it signifies the entering of digitalisation into the rural areas, starting in Sebauh,” he said to some 3,000 people, who gathered for the event held in conjunction with this year’s Sarawak Day celebration.
Saying that the Sarawak government was the first in the country to introduce mobile payment to facilitate financial transactions, Abang Johari said the collaboration between Sarawak Pay and BSN would bridge the financial services in rural communities.
“Through this collaboration, customers are now able to make payment for bills or purchases using their mobile phone.
“All they have to do is to visit any 424 BSN bank agents (Ejen Bank BSN, or EB BSN) across Sarawak in order to top-up their Sarawak Pay account,” he said.
Meanwhile, SMA general manager Dr Zaidi Razak said the official launch of ‘Sarawak Pay-BSN Fintech Reaching the Rural Community’ event by the chief minister was another milestone for the Sarawak government in providing financial services in the rural areas where banking access is limited.
BSN chief executive Datuk Yunos Abd Ghani, in his statement, said as at June this year, its 424 EB BSN in Sarawak recorded 1,035,624 transactions amounting to RM66,720,163.58.
“We are the first to collaborate with SMA to provide an e-wallet service to the local community,” he said, adding that the move was in line with BSN’s vision of ‘No Malaysian Left Behind’.
“We are always committed to providing easily accessible integrated platform of financial services for our customers.
“This is not only part of our mandated roles, but also our concerted effort to ensure that financial inclusion is strengthened among Malaysians,” he added.
Yunos said BSN was committed to championing its brand promise of providing every Malaysian an equal opportunity to enjoy a better life, as well as continuing to uplift the economic wellbeing of Malaysians.
The first phase of this collaboration would only enable customers to perform a top-up and withdrawal transaction from Sarawak Pay via EB BSN.
The application would be further enhanced in the next phase, with more services such as micro-financing and welfare aid in store.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi, Minister in Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, acting State Secretary Datu Jaul Samion and Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing were among those present at the event.
Source: www.theborneopost.com