Chow (centre) marking the campaign’s launch. With him are (from left) Muhamad Husni, Rosli, H’ng and Firdaus. — Courtesy photo
PENANG will implement cashless transactions at government agencies every Friday starting from Aug 1 to Oct 31 this year.
Under the Penang Government Agencies Cashless Day Campaign 2024, those who wish to make payments at government office counters on Fridays must do so via epayment methods.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said these methods included ewallets, QR codes, online banking and debit or credit cards.
H’ng said the campaign aims to encourage people to embrace digital technology.
He said payments could also be made at smart kiosks and online through government portals such as e-Bayar, Aspire, MBSPPay and Cyber Counter.
Chow said the campaign would focus on assisting small traders and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in their transition to epayment systems.
“Implementing epayment services will also boost the state government’s revenue collection and Penang’s overall economic development,” he said when launching the campaign at a hotel in George Town.
Chow also announced that Penang received recognition as a “cashless state” this year after its digital transaction rate exceeded 95% from January to May.
“Based on the standards set by the Finance Ministry and PayNet, a state must achieve a 95% digital transaction rate in order to be recognised as a ‘cashless state’.
“I am pleased to announce that Penang is the only state consistently meeting this standard, with over 95% of transactions being cashless.
“The state government hopes that the campaign will help increase state revenue, foster awareness and encourage the habit of epayments or cashless payments among the people of Penang,” he said, as reported by Buletin Mutiara.
From Jan 1 to May 31 this year, all state revenue-collecting departments and agencies successfully recorded 5,490,371 cashless transactions, representing 95.31% of total transactions.
He said the Penang government hoped to achieve 97% cashless payments by 2030.
Chow also commended Digital Penang for promoting digital economy processes among traders and local communities.
Founded in 2020, Digital Penang was formed to speed up efforts in pursuing opportunities in the digital economy as well as to foster a digitally engaged society.
Chow pointed out how the government-linked company had bridged the digital divide, especially for senior citizens in Penang.
State local government, town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said the campaign aimed to encourage people to embrace digital technology.
“The campaign aligns with goals to develop Penang into a smart and sustainable state through governance and various initiatives.
“It will also enhance public services while achieving efficient, accountable and transparent governance,” he said, adding that 23 government departments and agencies would be involved in the campaign.
Also present at the launch were state secretary Datuk Rosli Isa, Penang social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim, State Legislative Assembly deputy speaker Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz, Penang island mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, Seberang Perai mayor Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid, Local Government Division secretary Muhamad Husni Mahmud and PayNet Government Digitalisation Division senior director Firdaus Ghani.
