KUCHING: The Ministry of Finance and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) are aware of the need for access to finance in rural areas.
According to a news report from the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS), its minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said, the decision of a financial institution to open a bank branch or place a Self-Service Terminal (SST) machine in an area depending on a few factors.
He said that these factors include the location’s suitability, infrastructure and environment and the demands of financial services in line with local development.
Anwar added that financial institutions also provide bank agents who offer basic banking services such as deposit storage and withdrawal, fund transfer services, account opening, financing repayment, and utility bill payments. These agents are made up of various business entities such as grocery stores, petrol stations, post offices, and cooperatives appointed by banking institutions to provide basic banking services, especially in rural areas far from bank branches.
“So far, there are two Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) agents around Tatau in Sarawak,” he said in response to a question from Selangau MP Edwin Banta regarding the absence of a bank branch in the area during the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Thursday.
Anwar also noted that the mobile bank initiative was also prepared to deal with the problem of providing cash transactions for rural areas.
The mobile banks offer basic banking services including depositing and withdrawing money, as well as advisory services on digital banking.
“At present, there are two Bank Rakyat mobile banks and a BSN mobile bank in Tatau,” he said.
Finally, Anwar also encouraged the public to conduct banking transactions digitally as it can be done anywhere and anytime securely.
“Digital banking is expected to expand the reach of financial services to rural areas, enabling users throughout Malaysia to access and use of its services,” he stressed.
