KABONG: The launch of the Cashless Society Initiative by Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) will drive the potential of the district as a tourism town in Sarawak.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said a cashless system needs to be introduced and practised to enable and facilitate both local and international tourists.
With existing accommodation and upcoming facilities designed to boost the tourism industry, he said the initiative will allow tourists to book and make payments for accommodation or vehicle rentals without the need for cash.
“I urge the people of Kabong to be more aware and enhance their knowledge and skills in banking, especially cashless transaction methods.
“At first, we might feel uncomfortable with payment systems using QR codes, online banking or digital banking.
“This is where the collaboration between BSN and the district office is crucial in educating and exposing the people of Kabong to the benefits of this cashless system,” he said at the launch of the Cashless Society Initiative for the residents of Kabong at the Hawker Centre here Saturday (Nov 9).
Fadillah also stressed that locals should participate in the digital banking development, becoming more aware and tech-savvy.
He noted that Kabong is known for its small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly in seafood products like shrimp, crabs, and traditional foods like ‘suman lemantak’ or sago.
Optimistic that local entrepreneurs have successfully marketed and promoted their products on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok, he asserted that these entrepreneurs need a mechanism that will allow them to conduct fast and secure transactions.
“This cashless initiative will not only ease the daily transactions of the community but will also enhance safety and efficiency in conducting business transactions.
“This is where the important role of the cashless initiative introduced by BSN comes into play, helping to empower and streamline SMEs through seamless and efficient cashless transactions for both parties,” he added.
As the Sarawak government has introduced an electronic wallet app called ‘S Pay Global’ (Sarawak Pay), he lauded the initiative, noting that it aligns with the state government’s vision to transition the lifestyle of its citizens toward cashless transactions.
“According to data from the Sarawak Multimedia Authority in 2022, more than 590,290 registered users and 85,445 merchants across the state recorded transactions worth RM1.8 billion since its launch in 2017.
“S Pay Global also collaborates with BSN to provide online transaction services to residents in rural areas through appointed bank agents.
“This reflects the Sarawak government’s trust in BSN to deliver the best banking services, which is unquestionable,” he said.
