Aiming for zero cash transactions by 2023

THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is aiming to go cashless by 2023, says Jagdeep Singh Deo.

The state local government committee chairman said MBPP would be the first local authority in Malaysia to use the Smart Kiosk, a cashless payment system.

“We are targeting zero cash transactions by 2023 in MBPP with the Smart Kiosk, including the smart counter, e-wallet, smart help desk, e-Bayar, Penang Smart Parking, SnapNPay and JomPAY.

“In line with the Smart City initiative, this move is also to control the spread of Covid-19 in the state.

“Some of the Covid-19 standard operating procedures include practising physical distancing, maintaining cleanliness and reducing human contact.

“With the Smart Kiosk and online services, we can reduce the number of people queuing at the counters.

“It is one of our initiatives to help break the chain of infection during the pandemic, ” he said at the launching of the MBPP Smart Kiosk at Komtar yesterday.

Jagdeep said Penangites fully understood the need for new technology in this modern era.

“As of now, we have 73 smart projects with 33 of them already being implemented, while 26 in the process of implementation and 14 initiatives in the planning stage.

“From Jan 1 to Jan 31 this year, the total revenue collection obtained through e-payment from 23 state agencies recorded a total of 181,602 transactions, or 66.3% in total.

“Meanwhile, the value of transactions through e-payment in January 2021 was around RM61mil, which is 58.1% of the total transaction value.

“Since June last year, a total of 1,507 hawkers in 56 public markets throughout the state have used e-payment platforms involving 172,240 transactions with a collection value of RM2.58mil, ” he said, adding that the public could still make cash payments.

MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said the council was moving towards a cashless society.

“We have installed five fully cashless Smart Kiosk units and one hybrid unit that accepts cash at Level 3, Komtar.

“There are three hybrid units at City Hall in Esplanade, a cashless and a hybrid unit at Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas and a hybrid unit in Balik Pulau, ” he said.

On a separate note, Jagdeep Singh said 1.59 million checks were carried out on the island and mainland to ensure that the public adhered to SOPs as at March 6.

“MBPP checked over 720,137 sites and recorded an SOP compliance rate of 99.68% on the island.

“On the mainland, Seberang Prai City Council recorded an SOP compliance rate of 99.38% at 873,461 premises, ” he said.