GEORGE TOWN: TNG Digital Sdn Bhd is looking at increasing its Touch ‘n Go eWallet merchant base by three-fold in Penang to help make the state the first officially cashless city in the country.
Speaking at the official launch of TNG eWallet x Penang here today, TNG Digital’s chief executive officer Ignatius Ong said they were excited to be bringing their expertise to Penang as this puts them on the right track to achieving their vision of a cashless Malaysia.
According to him, the TNG eWallet’s existing merchant base in Penang is 8,000 and 120,000 nationwide, with seven million current users in total.
Ong said by bringing the seamless cashless payment experience to Penang with merchant stalls in key heritage streets around George Town, it would enable the iconic and historic island to get a cashless transformation.
"Our efforts in Penang are unique to the people here and are for those who reside, work and move about in the city.
"Enabling these heritage streets is the continuation of our long-term commitment to drive Penang forward by empowering locals to experience a more convenient, safer and hassle-free way of transacting in their everyday lives.
"We want to play an active role in supporting the economic growth of Penang through the facilitation of a digital payment system for local merchants," he added.
TNG eWallet will be enabled as a digital payment method across stalls and hawker joints along key heritage streets in George Town such as Chowrasta Market, Armenian Street, Nagore Street as well as areas in Pulau Tikus and Tanjung Tokong.
Homegrown small merchants such as hawker joints and mamak operators will benefit greatly as it will help them innovate and stay relevant in the current market landscape.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow who officiated the launch said it was a good initiative by TNG Digital to elevate Penang to greater digital heights.
"With yet more upcoming collaborations to rope in more merchants, I believe Penang is well on its way to becoming a truly cashless state," he said.
TNG eWallet came to Penang in 2018, through partnerships with local homegrown startups such as MULA and DeliverEat where it is offered as a mode of payment for customers using these services.