KUALA LUMPUR: Plans are underway to implement the RM30 incentive for Malaysians through e-Tunai Rakyat e-wallet system service, with steps taken to ensure that it would be carried out smoothly beginning next month.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said engagements with e-wallet providers and government agencies were being taken to distribute a one-off digital stimulation worth RM30 in e-credit to 15 million Malaysians e-wallet users aged 18 and above who earn less than RM100,000 a year.
This e-credit will be distributed in January and February next year.
"We will continue the initiative in the future to target more users, merchants and the e-wallet operators if it is well-received," he said at the Dewan Rakyat session here.
He was responding to a question from Rembau member of parliament Khairy Jamaluddin who asked the ministry on the status of the implementation of the incentive for Malaysians through e-wallet service.
The e-Tunai Rakyat is the federal government’s initiative to encourage the public, small businesses and retail stores to accept and use digital payments.
Guan Eng said the recipients needed to be sure that their e-wallet accounts were valid through the selected service providers.
With the allocation of RM450 million for the initiative, he said the government hoped to encourage a cashless culture for the people.
“The only thing that is required is an e-wallet account with verified identification by selected service providers,” he said.
He said the initiative was part of the RM50.3 billion allocation to transform Malaysia into an entrepreneurial nation.
“Out of the RM50.3 billion, the government has allocated RM21.6 billion for the National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (NFCP) to upgrade and expand the Digital Malaysia infrastructure.”
Khazanah Nasional Bhd as the project coordinator would announce the e-wallet operators who would be involved in the implementation of the initiative soon.