PUTRAJAYA: The e-Tunai programme, which encourages the use of cashless payments among Malaysians, will kick off on Wednesday (Jan 15).
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the government has allocated RM450mil for the programme that will benefit 15 million people.
The government is collaborating with e-wallet operators Grab, Boost and Touch ‘n Go for the programme.
“This is part of the government’s commitment to the Shared Prosperity agenda by reducing barriers to digitalisation and improving financial inclusivity,” he said in a media conference on Tuesday (Jan 14).
Applications can be submitted starting tomorrow until March 9.
Malaysians 18 years of age and above and who earn less than RM100,000 annually will be eligible to receive RM30 each through any of the participating e-wallets.
Lim said participants can only choose from one e-wallet operator and once claimed, the recipient can spend the money on goods and services available through the chosen e-wallet platform.
“The e-wallet operators will provide additional incentive which they will announce later,” he said
To ensure the initiative will hasten Malaysia’s digitalisation process, Lim said the RM30 must be spent starting Jan 15 until March 14. -The Star