PUTRAJAYA: The Youth and Sports Ministry has taken the lead in going cashless in keeping with the aims of the 2050 National Trans-formation (TN50) plan.
It has now made vcash, a mobile payment platform offered by telecommunications service provider Digi, its cashless payment solution at its headquarters at Menara KBS here.
Vcash is now enabled at the building’s Rimau Cafe, KBS Gym as well as its canteen, Kafe Teratai.
Launched by Digi last November, vcash is an e-wallet and payment solution which allows users to pay for products and services using their smartphones.
The cashless payment system adopted by the ministry is a first for a government arm.
Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the effort is important to support Malaysia’s goal towards becoming a cashless nation, in line with TN50, the 30-year plan launched in January 2017 with the aim to transform Malaysia, with the youth of all races forming the core of the mission.
“The announcement today builds on the aspirations of nearly two million Malaysian youths, many of whom have expressed the desire for a nation that is moving towards becoming a cashless payment society.
“In order to drive the cashless movement, it is imperative that we ourselves at KBS (the ministry) take significant steps in this direction,” he said at the launch yesterday.
He added that some 450 staff members in the building will be using the e-wallet account to access the service.
Digi, he said, has also offered merchant discount rates for the canteen, cafe and gym operators to encourage them to continue providing this service.
Khairy said the payment mode will eventually extend beyond KBS premises.
“We are starting here and next, we will look into all the assets under KBS, such as the National Youth Skills Institute, National Sports Council, shops and kiosks at stadiums as well as at the Kuala Lumpur Sports City,” he added.
Digi Telecommunications chief executive officer Albern Murty noted that 2017 had seen a positive traction in both government and private sectors adopting the cashless payment method.
“Today, with the support of the ministry, our main aim is to continue being inclusive by providing a simple, convenient solution, vcash, that works for everyone,” he said.
Vcash is offered by Digi in partnership with Valyou, an e-money issuer authorised by Bank Negara Malaysia.
It is available on Google Play and Apple App Store for free.
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