Meeting to discuss DuitNow QR charges on Oct 3

MELAKA: A meeting will be held to discuss issues pertaining to DuitNow QR transaction charges on Tuesday (Oct 3).

Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh said the Cost of Living Action Committee (Naccol) meeting, to be chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, would be joined by representatives from Bank Negara.

"DuitNow QR has 1,874 million users. Imagine the profits reaped by the banks, which we fear will affect consumers," Fuziah spoke to newsmen after opening the Melaka Rahmah Sales Roadshow at Dataran Sejarah Ayer Keroh here on Saturday (Sept 30).

ALSO READ: DuitNow QR fee will not burden low-income group, says PM

The transaction charges incurred, said Fuziah could disrupt the national digitalisation programme which was mooted under the 12 Malaysia Plan.

She said before this, the ministry had conducted the Retail Sector Digitilisation Initiative to assist the management of micro-businesses, especially to facilitate digital payments on different platforms for consumers.

"We are concerned that micro businesses will be affected by the transaction charges and would be difficult for them to participate in the initiative and disrupt the digitalisation programme with the consumers absorbing the cost,” she added.

So far, only Public Bank, Maybank, CIMB and Hong Leong Bank have decided to waive the charges.

ALSO READ: Local bank confirms it will waive DuitNow QR fees and charges

Recently, Payments Network Malaysia - the operator of DuitNow QR - announced that a transaction fee would be imposed on vendors for payments received through the DuitNow QR platform and transactions conducted with credit cards, effective Nov 1.

Meanwhile, Fauziah said the public could get their local rice through Agro Madani, Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) and Farmers Organisation Authority, with subsidised imported rice from Jualan Rahmah.

"The public could check the sales centres through the ministry and Fama websites," he added.