Customer slams KL Café over no-cash policy—Internet divided
In a post on Threads, the café shared a screenshot of the review, where the customer expressed frustration over the policy: 'Never again. This business is a cashless business. Cash is still a legal tender in Malaysia and you must accept it.'
ALSO READ: M'sian slams 10% service charge at QR code-only eateries, but some defend it
The customer added, 'I do not support cashless business. Oh, and I just noticed you charged me the wrong bill. P.S. your coffee is ok.'
The café, clearly puzzled by the harsh critique, responded with a caption reflecting its confusion: 'It's sad to see a customer leave a 1-star review not because the food wasn't good, overcooked, or due to bad service —but just because of our cashless policy.
'Yes, we're fully cashless for safety reasons and to reduce errors.
'Just wondering, how do you all feel about a cashless system like this? Let us know your thoughts,' it wrote.
While many businesses have adopted digital payment systems to streamline operations and reduce human error, not all customers are on board.
Online users were divided over the issue. Some supported the café's move, saying Malaysians need to keep pace with evolving technology. Others sympathised with the reviewer, arguing that the café should accommodate those less comfortable with digital payments.
'I've once had a situation where my phone had no line at all... and the shop only accepted e-wallet. I said that my phone was out of line and I could offer to pay cash.. they said they don't accept. Didn't end up buying. So they lose a sale,' one user called denflx commented.
'Did you clearly display a big sign at the entrance saying 'NO CASH ACCEPTED'? And when the customer was about to order, did you remind them again that you don't accept cash? If the customer was properly informed and still left that kind of review, then it wouldn't be fair,' amad_ecam wrote.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
39 minutes ago
- The Star
‘Don't let traders play the expanded SST card'
PETALING JAYA: The expanded Sales and Service tax (SST) may have a limited short-term effect on inflation, and to prevent dishonest traders from profiteering, economists say Malaysians play a crucial role in curbing unnecessary price hikes. They advise consumers to be vigilant when shopping and avoid buying products from dishonest traders. Economist Geoffrey Williams said consumers must be tough on companies that exploit the implementation of the expanded SST and raise prices unnecessarily. He said they can report such companies for profiteering to the authorities or even name the company on social media. 'Naming and shaming profiteers online is very effective, as well as boycotting the worst offenders. 'But, this requires group action where NGOs and consumer groups can play a role,' said Williams. He also said companies could play a role by being transparent with prices and having comparisons with their competitors. 'Those that treat customers well will keep and gain customers and those with bad attitudes will lose business,' said Williams. He added that consumers should be aware of which products are affected under the expanded SST when they go shopping. 'If they see prices rising on products that had the same tax rate, they can report it to the authorities for profiteering. 'The effect on inflation will be limited and temporary because this is a one-off effect on only a small sample of goods and services. Most of the consumer price index constituents are unaffected,' added Williams. He was commenting on the SST expansion which began on July 1 which saw zero rate taxes remaining for essential goods, while a rate of 5% to 10% was imposed on non-essential items. An 8% service tax will be imposed on rental or leasing services, with no tax imposed on residential housing, reading material, monetary leasing and tangible assets outside Malaysia. A 6% service tax will be levied on construction work services related to infrastructure, commercial and industrial buildings. Socio-Economic Research Centre executive director Lee Heng Guie said consumer activism played a crucial role in addressing unnecessary price hikes and Malaysians themselves should be vigilant and report any unjustified price hikes to the authorities. 'To manage price pressures, the government can improve price monitoring, providing clear communication to the public, and strict enforcement of tax compliance to prevent price gouging,' said Lee. He also said the government could implement awareness campaigns and maintain clear guidelines as well as strict enforcement of tax compliance to prevent excessive profiteering. The inflationary effects from the implementation of the expanded SST, he said, was not expected to have a lasting impact on the country. 'While price adjustments are anticipated, particularly on non-essential items and services estimated between 0.5 and 1 percentage points in the short-term, this will likely taper off over time,' added Lee. He said low- and middle-income earners were likely to be affected by the expanded SST implementation despite exemptions on essential items and cash handouts such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah by the government. 'The increase in SST on a broader range of goods and services can lead to price hikes across the supply chain, ultimately impacting consumers, especially those in the lower and middle income brackets. 'While direct consumer impact is limited, some businesses, particularly those relying on rented premises in sectors like logistics, manufacturing, and retail, may experience increased costs due to the service tax on leasing and rental services. 'This could potentially be passed on to consumers,' added Lee. Carmelo Ferlito, economist and chief executive at the Centre for Market Education think tank, argued that the prices of some goods may increase, but stressed that the government should not intervene. 'There are already too many price distortions in the Malaysian economic system,' he said. Inflation was a generalised and persistent increase in the level of price due to the quantity of money increasing, outpacing the growth of the economy's output of goods and services, he said. 'Taxes do not create inflation, government spending does. 'There will instead be inflation if the government expands the money supply to counter the effects of SST,' added Ferlito.
The Star
14 hours ago
- The Star
Explainer-Will the EU delay enforcing its AI Act?
FILE PHOTO: A copy of "The European Union Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act" on display during the AI & Big Data Expo 2025 at the Olympia, in London, Britain, February 5, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes/File Photo STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -With less than a month to go before parts of the European Union's AI Act come into force, companies are calling for a pause in the provisions and getting support from some politicians. Groups representing big U.S. tech companies such as Google owner Alphabet and Facebook owner Meta, and European companies such as Mistral and ASML have urged the European Commission to delay the AI Act by years. WHAT IS THE AUGUST 2 DEADLINE? Under the landmark act that was passed a year earlier after intense debate between EU countries, its provisions would come into effect in a staggered manner over several years. Some important provisions, including rules for general purpose AI (GPAI) models, are due to apply on August 2. GPAI, which includes foundation models like those made by Google, Mistral and OpenAI, will be subject to transparency requirements such as drawing up technical documentation, complying with EU copyright law and providing detailed summaries about the content used for algorithm training. The companies will also need to test for bias, toxicity, and robustness before launching. AI models classed as posing a systemic risk and high-impact GPAI will have to conduct model evaluations, assess and mitigate risks, conduct adversarial testing, report to the European Commission on serious incidents and provide information on their energy efficiency. WHY DO COMPANIES WANT A PAUSE? For AI companies, the enforcement of the act means additional costs for compliance. And for ones that make AI models, the requirements are tougher. But companies are also unsure how to comply with the rules as there are no guidelines yet. The AI Code of Practice, a guidance document to help AI developers to comply with the act, missed its publication date of May 2. "To address the uncertainty this situation is creating, we urge the Commission to propose a two-year 'clock-stop' on the AI Act before key obligations enter into force," said an open letter published on Thursday by a group of 45 European companies. It also called for simplification of the new rules. Another concern is that the act may stifle innovation, particularly in Europe where companies have smaller compliance teams than their U.S. counterparts. WILL IT BE POSTPONED? The European Commission has not yet commented on whether it will postpone the enforcement of the new rules in August. However, EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen promised on Wednesday to publish the AI Code of Practice before next month. Some political leaders, such as Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, have also called the AI rules "confusing" and asked the EU to pause the act. "A bold 'stop-the-clock' intervention is urgently needed to give AI developers and deployers legal certainty, as long as necessary standards remain unavailable or delayed," tech lobbying group CCIA Europe said. The European Commission did not respond immediatelyt to requests for comment. (Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm and Foo Yun Chee in Brussels. Editing by Mark Potter)
Focus Malaysia
14 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Does Malaysia need a reset?
MALAYSIA, a land rich in diversity, culture, and potential, stands at a crucial turning point. Decades of unresolved issues—corruption, inequality, racial polarisation, brain drain, and environmental degradation,have left many Malaysians asking a difficult but necessary question. Does Malaysia need a reset? The answer is a resounding yes. Not a mere tweak or a cosmetic reform, but a deep, systemic, and comprehensive reset, one that touches every dimension of our nationhood. For too long, we have witnessed cycles of political instability, rising cost of living, racial and religious tensions, and environmental disasters exacerbated by poor governance and neglect. These challenges are not isolated, they are interconnected symptoms of a system in urgent need of transformation. If we dare to envision a better Malaysia, then we must be courageous enough to demand a reset Malaysia, a national movement towards renewal, integrity, and inclusivity. Malaysia's political landscape is fractured by race-based politics, corruption scandals, and short-term power struggles. A political reset means, leadership with integrity, dismantling race-based policies and embracing needs-based governance. The nation's democratic institutions need to strengthen with an independent judiciary, a truly autonomous anti-corruption commission, and a free media. Electoral reforms need to be implemented which includes transparent political financing and term limits for top leadership. There must be prioritisation process in place for nation-building over narrow political gains. The Malaysian economy reset must evolve beyond commodity dependence and low-wage labour to innovation. The reduction of inequality through fairer tax policies, improved social safety nets, and access to quality jobs will empower workers with fair wages and protections especially in the gig economy. Meanwhile, our education system must be more than an examination factory. It must shape thinkers, innovators, and ethical citizens, thus nurturing minds for the future. This reset must includes modernising curricula to prioritise critical thinking, creativity, digital literacy, and environmental stewardship. It must provide equal educational opportunities regardless of race, income, or region especially in Sabah, Sarawak and marginalised communities which will end the politicisation of education while promoting a balance of merit and social equity. Budget must be sufficiently located in investing in teacher training and elevating of the teaching profession to one of high esteem, which is lacking now. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the cracks in Malaysia's healthcare system. A healthcare reset demands dignity in wellness for all, not only for those can afford in private hospitals. The public hospitals must be strengthened to public healthcare facilities, ensuring equitable access nationwide to all Malaysians. Issues regarding doctors overworking and getting exhausted are areas required urgent attention by the government. Many doctors are leaving government service in thousands either to private sector or going aboard. The mental health services must be promoted extended and the public must educated thus de-stigmatising psychological care. Government need to invest more in preventive care, telemedicine and digital health solutions. Malaysia's strength lies in its diversity. However, years of racial politicking have strained social cohesion. A social reset need to be brought into focus in order to bring about unity beyond identity. Proper laws need to be enacted against discrimination and hate speech which will go a long way in preventing disunity. Affirmative citizenship rights for stateless children and marginalised groups must once for all be solved not dangling with ulterior motives. The promotion of gender equality and ensuring representation for women in leadership and in the parliament representation must not just be mere lip service but must become a reality. National unity based on respect, shared values, and common aspirations must be reignited. Malaysia is require a environmental reset which requires stewardship over exploitation. The relationship with the environment cannot be transactional. The floods, pollution and deforestation are warning signs of systemic failure. A green reset calls for aggressive climate action achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This will end deforestation and restoring degraded ecosystems. Another area of concern is in investing in clean energy, sustainable transportation, and climate-resilient infrastructure thus protecting biodiversity and preserving natural resources for future generations. No reset is possible without a change in the national psyche on the moral and cultural mindset. The government must look beyond laws and policies, which must embrace a cultural transformation that rejects corruption not just as a crime but as a moral failure. More celebration on diversity through arts, dialogue, and mutual respect must be initiated championing integrity, compassion, and civic responsibility as national values. This will encourage active citizenship where every Malaysian contributes to nation-building. In conclusion a call to Malaysians which is more than a political programme, which is a generational call. A call to dream of a Malaysia that puts integrity above power, justice above privilege and unity above division. ‒ July 3, 2025 Maran ( KT Maran) Seremban, Negri Sembilan The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: The Borneo Post
