The Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA)will adopt Kiple pay cashless solutions to extend financial assistance to the poor and hardcore poor communities in the northern states, particularly the low-income women representing households who have no fixed income to manage and accommodate their families’ expenses.
In collaboration with the state governments of Perlis, Perak and Kedah, NCIA introduced the Kasih Ibu programme with the objective of addressing the cost of living issues where they can now use cashless cards as opposed to cash handouts.
The cashless solution provided by Kiplepay features a physical prepaid card linked to a Kiple e-wallet account, enabling users to access financial aid provided by the government; as well as a payment terminal and merchant portal that allow merchants to perform cashless transactions.
“Moreover, as it is done through Kiple’s suite of cashless solutions, we can ensure a safe, contactless and seamless digital experience for all community members – from recipients to merchants to healthcare clinics,” said Ricky Lew, Acting CEO of Kiplepay.
Kicked in 2021, the Kasih Ibu Darul Ridzuan (KIDR) and Kasih Ibu Perlis (KIP) programmes provided RM250 monthly via the cashless card, which can be used at 182 small and local grocery merchants. Within the 182 merchants, there are a handful of notable mobile merchants created and arranged to address accessibility challenges for the Orang Asli communities in Perak.
“This programme does not just help the hardcore poor. It also helps business owners such as me by adding regular customers and increasing our sales,” said Zaleha Zakaria, owner of Super Gmart Mini Market in Perlis.
We are confident the program and other related human capital integration programmes under NCIA will empower more households and improve their marginalised socioeconomic statuses,” said Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John, Chief Executive of NCIA.
