More retail outlets, restaurants and even government departments now accept digital payments, with some offering no cash option. — Filepic
CONSUMER groups in Johor are calling on businesses, service providers and government agencies to maintain cash payment options, warning that a complete shift to cashless transactions could leave the vulnerable groups behind.
They argue that while digital payments are the future, the transition must be inclusive to ensure no one is marginalised.
Johor Bumiputera Consumer Association chairman Syed Abdullah Syed Mohamed emphasised that federal and state governments, along with their respective agencies, should also maintain the option for cash payments.
“Going cashless is the way forward, but we still have a long way to go before we become a truly cashless society,” he said when contacted.
Syed Abdullah noted that while more consumers were adopting QR code payments, businesses and public sector agencies should not rely exclusively on them.
“They should also consider senior citizens, those who are illiterate and individuals who are not tech-savvy,” he said.
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He said not everyone owned a smartphone to download payment apps or had access to debit or credit cards.
Many individuals still preferred carrying and using cash, added Syed Abdullah.
Citing a recent case, he recalled how an elderly man faced difficulties renewing his passport at the Immigration Department because cash was not accepted.
The man eventually had to ask another individual to pay the RM100 fee on his behalf via a cashless method, which he then reimbursed in cash.
“The issue with QR code payments also arises when the Internet is down.
“In such instances, cash becomes the best option,” Syed Abdullah said.
However, he acknowledged that it was not too late for senior citizens to adopt smartphones and start familiarising themselves with QR code payments.
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Johor Consumer Movement Associations chairman Md Salleh Sadijo said some senior citizens’ preference for cash stems from fear and worry about using cashless methods.
He stressed the need for relevant agencies to prioritise building trust and confidence among this demographic, reassuring them of the safety of cashless transactions.
“We are moving towards a cashless society and sooner or later, all of us will have to adapt,” said Md Salleh.
He also noted that physical challenges, such as eyesight problems, might deter some older individuals from using QR code payments due to concerns about making errors when entering amounts.
Malaysia aims to achieve 90% cashless payments by 2025.
To support this goal, the government has launched several initiatives, including MyDigital and the Cashless Society programme.
MyDigital, a national blueprint introduced in 2021, seeks to transform Malaysia into a digital economy by 2030 and to provide electronic payment options across all government agencies and ministries.
The Cashless Society programme focuses on enabling small and micro-scale traders to accept and use cashless payment methods.
