MELAKA: On Tuesday (Oct 3), a meeting will be held to address concerns related to DuitNow QR transaction charges. Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh stated that the Cost of Living Action Committee (Naccol) meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, will include representatives from Bank Negara. Fuziah expressed worries about the potential impact on consumers due to the large number of DuitNow QR users at 1,874 million, which could lead to significant profits for banks.
According to Fuziah, these transaction charges may hinder the national digitalisation program outlined in the 12 Malaysia Plan. In order to support micro-business management and facilitate digital payments, the Ministry previously initiated the Retail Sector Digitisation Initiative. However, Fuziah voiced concerns that the transaction charges could negatively affect micro-businesses’ participation in the initiative and disrupt the digitalisation program, with consumers bearing the costs.
Public Bank, Maybank, CIMB, and Hong Leong Bank have currently decided to waive the charges, but other banks have not yet made a similar commitment.
Recently, Payments Network Malaysia, the operator of DuitNow QR, announced that a transaction fee would be implemented for vendors receiving payments through the DuitNow QR platform and for transactions made with credit cards, effective from November 1.
In other news, Fauziah highlighted that Agro Madani, the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama), and the Farmers Organisation Authority offer options for obtaining local rice, while Jualan Rahmah provides subsidized imported rice. The public can access information on sales centers through the Ministry and Fama websites.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
