Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in collaboration Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet), has launched a Cashless@PEDi pilot project at 28 selected Malaysian Family Digital Economy Centers (PEDi) across Malaysia.
The main objective of this pilot project is to nurture the culture of using cashless payments among rural communities through exhibitions and activities that will be held at the PEDi centres.
PayNet owned by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and 11 local banks is a national retail payment network operator and partnership centralized infrastructure for the Malaysian financial market.
This Cashless@PEDi pilot project is seen to coincide with the goal improve the level of digital payment literacy under the Malaysia’s Digital Economy Blueprint. According to the PayNet Digital Payments Insights Study 2022, 78% of the people in the country still tend to use cash payments in 2021, 11% less than in 2020. However, the trend of cash usage increased again in 2022, especially in rural areas.
This pilot project began in PEDi PPR Sri Pantai and PEDi PA Seri Sabah on 31 December 2022 where residents were offered information and advantages of cashless payment methods and have the opportunity to enjoy a cashless shopping experience through various e-payment methods operated by PayNet, such as debit card (MyDebit), JomPay, DuitNow QR, and so on.
In January, the Cashless@PEDi campaign continues at PEDi Taman Kelisa and PEDi FELDA Soeharto in Selangor followed by several PEDi in Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor. MCMC and PayNet will study the effectiveness of this pilot project before the program is expanded in other PEDi across the country.
