BINTULU, 21 July 2019 – Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) today announced its collaboration with Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) with the launch of Sarawak Pay, an e-Wallet application for customers to conduct a cashless transaction through smartphones. The event was held at Sebauh, Bintulu in conjunction with Sarawak Day 2019.
The Right Honorable Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg graced the launch event accompanied by General Manager of SMA, Dr Zaidi bin Razak together with Chief Executive of BSN, Yang Berbahagia Datuk Yunos Abd Ghani.
Initiated by SMA and supported by BSN, Sarawak Pay was a commendable vision of Chief Minister of Sarawak to bridge the financial services at the rural community. Through this collaboration, customers are now able to make payment for bills or purchases via their mobile phone. All they have to do is to visit any 424 Ejen Bank BSN (EB BSN) all across Sarawak in order to top-up their Sarawak Pay account. Customers need to download a Sarawak Pay application, then simply enter the mobile phone number and the amount of money. EB BSN P.O.S terminal will issue a receipt to complete the transaction.
Customers can also perform a withdrawal transaction via the Sarawak Pay applications. Simply bring their identification card (IC) at any EB BSN, slot in their IC into designated terminal, verify the biometric (fingerprint), enter the mobile phone number and the amount of money. EB BSN P.O.S terminal will issue a receipt to complete the transaction. Balance inquiry can be checked via the Sarawak Pay application.
“The launch of Sarawak Pay – BSN Fintech Reaching the Rural Community by the Right Honorable Chief Minister has set another milestone for the Government of Sarawak in order to provide a financial services at rural areas where banking access are limited,” says Dr Zaidi bin Razak, General Manager of SMA.
Under the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy 2018-2025 (e-Commerce: Action 25), the State Government through SMA is to create a Fintech platform like Sarawak Pay that provides advance business tools for the local business owners and entrepreneurs in order to have a more accessible financial services to perform and grow their businesses.
“We have a total of 424 agent banks across Sarawak and the transaction recorded by the agent banks as at June 2019 are 1,035,624, amounting of RM66,720,163.58. We are the first to collaborate with SMA to provide an e-Wallet services to the local community,” says Chief Executive of BSN, YBhg. Datuk Yunos Abd Ghani.
“At BSN, it is our mission to rope everyone in our initiatives aligned with our vision - ‘No Malaysian Left Behind’. We are always committed to provide an 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. We are committed to champion our brand promise in providing every Malaysian an equal opportunity to enjoy a better life as well as continue uplifting the economic well-being of Malaysians,” added Datuk Yunos further.
The first phase of this collaboration will only enable customers to perform a top-up and withdrawal transaction from Sarawak Pay via EB BSN. The application will be further enhanced in the next phase with more services such as micro-financing, welfare aid and many more.
The Sarawak Day 2019 event begun from 19th of July 2019 and will end on 22nd of July 2019. Various activities and fun filled events organized by SMA in collaboration with BSN, CENTEX, Pustaka such as STEM program, SMA-CENTEX Safari, AR VR Demo, Talent Show, Karaoke competition and lucky draws were held for the public.