KUCHING: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) agreed to increase the maximum reload value of Sarawak Pay from RM200 to RM3,000. This was announced in conjuntion with the launching by Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr.) Abang Johari Tun Openg of the Sarawak Financial Carnival at CityOne Megamall, yesterday. According to Johari, he was confident that the increasing of the reload value will give benefit to people to pay their utilities by e-payment.
“You can make the payment through smartphone through the Sarawak Pay application, therefore, you can pay any utilities bill within the RM3,000,” said Johari. He added that with the increment, the farmers will able to use the apps for their agricultural transactions.
“I hope the Sarawak Pay will become a new payment instrument for people to pay the utility and cashless transaction,” he pointed out. Johar i was confident that through the application, it will educate the people to practise the cashless culture which contributes to the digital development within the next five to 10 years. He also noted that the digitalisation goal which initiated by the state government is to close the gap between urban and rural areas. Therefore, he urged the financial institutions to cooperate to promote the other financial instruments such as insurance.
“The cooperation is to manage their financial resources between the customers and institution,” he explained. In his speech, Johar i also expressed his appreciation to BNM who will provide a scholarship to two state public officers to further their study at degree level in Financial Management field.
Meanwhile, Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim noted that BNM will continue to focus in inclusive financial by expanding the financial services to rural areas such as in Telang Usan and Belaga.
“Bank agent network in Sarawak has increased to 632 agents from 14 agents in 2012. Currently the basic banking service has been provided to almost 97 per cent of districts and been enjoyed by 99.7 per cent of state people,” he explained.
Muhammad also announced that the Public Insurance Association Malaysia (PIAM) and Life Insurance Association Malaysia (LIAM) will set up their branches in Sarawak as an initiative to expanding their integrated insurance coverage in this state. The first of it’s carnival in this city will be held for three days starting yesterday (24th November until 26th November).
Various activities held during the carnival included exhibitions from various insurance and bank agencies, colouring contest, talks, lucky draw, and others. Also present were Chairman of Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS), Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Minister of Local Government and Housing, Prof. Datuk Dr. Sim Kui Hian.
