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Sibu Central Market to go cashless

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Abang Johari visits the Sarawak Pay booth. Photo: Penerangan

SIBU: Three entities are collaborating to facilitate cashless transactions via Sarawak Pay, an e-wallet application.

The collaboration involving Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and Sarawak Information System Sdn Bhd (SAINS) enables customers to go cashless through smartphones and free WiFi services at the Sibu Central Market.

An event to launch the link was graced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg here on Wednesday (Sept 16).

A statement released by SMA said the Sibu market is the first central market to be digitally-enabled and equipped with e-wallet services.

Abang Johari speaks at the official launch of Sarawak Pay and Free Wifi network at the Sibu central market. Photo: Penerangan

“The effort initiated by SMC and supported by SMA is a commendable vision of the chief minister to provide micro payment transaction best suited for the hawkers and traders at Sibu Central Market.

“Through this collaboration and the free WiFi furnished by SAINS, Sarawak Pay shoppers are now able to make purchases via their mobile phones with ease. At the same time, users can benefit from the cashback incentives,” SMA said.

It said the integration of Sarawak Pay at marketplaces serves to build a thriving e-commerce environment which bodes well into one of Sarawak’s eight digital economy sectors — e-commerce.

Abang Johari signs the “digital plug” to symbolically launch Sarawak Pay and Free Wifi network at the Sibu central market. Photo: Penerangan

More than 800 hawkers and petty traders at Sibu Central Market are registered as Sarawak Pay merchants. Some 600,000 micro payment transactions via Sarawak Pay are expected daily at the Sibu Central Market within the next six months.

Said SMC chairman Clarence Ting: “Where contactless transaction has now become the new norm, deployment of e-wallet services like Sarawak Pay at this marketplace will not only reduce physical cash handling, but will also strengthen the state’s digital economy.

“We are pleased to be part of this journey. Developing and nurturing a vibrant digital ecosystem is key in accelerating Sarawak economic growth.”

Abang Johari demonstrates an electronic payment via the Sarawak Pay App. Photo: Penerangan

SMA general manager Dr Zaidi Razak, meanwhile, urged more parties to be part of the digital ecosystem, which is crucial in sustaining Sarawak’s economic growth accelerated through the digital transformation.

Among those present at the launching was SAINS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam.