THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is eyeing to become a full-fledged cashless city by 2023, through its various initiatives that are being carried out to achieve the target.
State Housing, Local Government, Country and Town Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said he believed that Penangites were ready for the transition based on the increasing number of cashless transactions used since the Covid-19 pandemic occurred last year and the imposition of the movement control order (MCO).
According to the two-term state executive councillor, the state government is working towards zero cash transaction in two years’ time.
“In line with the Penang2030 vision, various initiatives have been and are being implemented by various government agencies and departments. As of now, a total of 73 smart initiatives have been recorded. Out of the total, 33 have been implemented and 26 are being carried out while the remaining 14 are in the pipeline.
“This shows the MBPP’s ongoing efforts to achieve the smart city goal. Besides that, the implementation of these smart initiatives can ensure the state agencies’ services to the public are not affected by the pandemic.
“The total revenue collection earned through online payments from the 23 state agencies and departments from Jan 1 to Jan 31 this year involved 181,602 transactions, which were 66.3% of the total number transactions.
“The value of transactions through e-payments throughout January this year was RM61,960,958.38, which was 58.1% of the total value of the whole transaction.
“Apart from that, a total of 1,507 hawkers in the wet markets have used cashless transactions platform, involving 172,240 transactions totalling a collection of RM2.58 million.
“That’s why, Penang is on the right path,” he told a press conference before launching the cashless payment kiosk services in Komtar today.
Jagdeep added that the kiosk services are provided at the third floor of the state administration complex.
“This MBPP Smart Kiosk allows the public to make payments either using a bank card (credit / debit card) or e-wallet in accordance to their preferences.
“This completely cashless smart kiosk service is part of MBPP’s smart initiatives in supporting the Penang2030 vision towards a smart state,” he said.
Besides smart kiosk service, the council has also introduced MBPP Smart Pay, which provides cashless payment facilities through various platforms.
Through this, the public can pay their council bills and compounds conveniently.
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, who was present, said the council had started various smart initiatives since 2017 to facilitate the people’s needs.
“Previously, payment services were held in a hybrid manner where the public could choose whether to use online payment without cash (cashless transaction) or at the counters.
“Until October 30 last year, a total of 60.37 percent of cashless transactions were successfully achieved.
“I believe the people in this state will support all efforts towards becoming a cashless society.
“The MBPP is working to achieve the target of 100 percent cashless transactions (zero cash transactions) by 2023,” he said, adding that the MBPP Smart Kiosk is available at the City Hall, Esplanade and SPICE Convention Centre.
Yew also said the council would be looking to instal smart kiosks at several shopping malls.
On a separate matter, Yew said 26 construction sites and several food and beverage premises were ordered to close for not adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Also present was MBPP secretary Datuk Addnan Mohd Razali.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar