15 million M’sians to get RM30 for e-wallets

PUTRAJAYA: Some 15 million Malaysians will receive RM30 shopping money, thanks to the government’s e-tunai initiative.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the government had allocated RM450mil to three e-wallet operators – Touch ‘n Go, Grab and Boost – for the initiative.

Applications can be submitted from tomorrow until March 9.

The process of applying and for the money to be disbursed will take about five working days.

“This is part of the government’s commitment to the Shared Prosperity agenda by reducing barriers to digitalisation and improving financial inclusivity, ” Lim told a press conference here.

To be eligible, one has to be 18 years and above with an annual income of RM100,000 and below.

Each application will be checked with data from the National Registration Department and Inland Revenue Board to ascertain the applicant’s eligibility.

Participants can only choose one e-wallet operator and once claimed, the recipient can spend the money on goods and services available on the chosen e-wallet platform.

The RM30 must be spent within the Jan 15-March 14 period.

Meanwhile, TNG Digital Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Ignatius Ong said the company would announce additional incentives today.