Transport operators urged to embrace digitalisation, open payment system
He said the government has been advocating the implementation of open payment systems across all modes of public transport to ensure better integration and access for passengers.
"I want all operators to digitalise, and I have always advocated an open payment system for our public transportation network," he said during the launch of Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd's (KTMB) KITS Style today.
KITS Style builds on KTMB's original Integrated Ticketing System (KITS) launched in 2019 and has evolved into an all-in-one Mobility-as-a-Service platform.
It empowers users with seamless access to AI-powered journey planning; bookings for flights, hotels, attractions and car rentals; a rail rewards loyalty programme; insurance and utility payments; money transfers; mobile top-ups; and lifestyle offers.
Commending KTMB's efforts, Loke said the rail operator had taken the lead in digitalising its payment systems.
"KTMB has moved ahead of Prasarana (Malaysia Bhd) in implementing digital payment systems.
"I'm not trying to compare, but this is healthy competition among our public transport operators."
Loke said the KITS Style platform marked a significant step in KTMB's transformation journey.
"With this, KTMB must continue to strive to provide reliable, safe and real-time services to both Malaysians and foreigners alike," he said.
The KITS Style app is poised to deliver significant enhancements for KTMB's existing 4.6 million app users while simultaneously drawing in new customers.
At the event, KTMB also signed memoranda of understanding with Capital A and Mastercard to enhance digital integration and strengthen secure, cashless payments.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Homebuyers redefine value amid shift in mindset
AT FIRST glance, Malaysia's residential property market may appear quiet, but beneath the surface, a meaningful transformation is under way: a fundamental shift in how Malaysians approach property ownership. Today's buyers are intentional, value-focused, and sharply attuned to economic signals. The optimism of past years has given way to a more measured mindset shaped by global volatility, domestic caution, and a widening disconnect between asking prices and buyer expectations. This is not a retreat from the market; it is a recalibration. Malaysians are still buying, but with greater purpose and scrutiny. Supply expands, buyer expectations refocus According to the Property Market Q1'25 Snapshots by National Property Information Centre (Napic), residential construction jumped by 30.2% year-on-year (YoY), an expression of developer confidence. Yet, transaction volume and value fell 6.2% and 8.9%, respectively, highlighting a growing misalignment between supply and demand. This shift is not rooted in economic weakness. With policy interest rate steady at 3% and inflation down to 1.4% in April, Malaysia's fundamentals remain stable. But instead of acting on optimism, buyers are choosing caution. It is a clear signal: affordability today is no longer just about price; it's measured by perceived value. Bridging the price gap through buyer alignment Differences between current residential offerings and evolving buyer preferences are becoming more noticeable across key regions. In Kuala Lumpur, high-rise homes took the biggest hit, with prices dropping 7.3% quarter-on-quarter, which was the steepest decline among property types. According to Napic, overhang grew 14.8% year-on-year, with unsold units mostly being condominiums priced between RM200,000 to RM300,000. However, data from PropertyGuru Malaysia for April 2025 indicates that the condominium market is stabilising towards an equilibrium, showing only a slight month-on-month decrease in demand of 0.7% for condo-miniums. Selangor, meanwhile, tells a different story. According to Napic data, the price gap is widening in the apartment and serviced residence segments, but savvy buyers remain active when value aligns with expectations. Overhang fell nearly 40% year-on-year, signalling strong movement in well-priced, practical homes. Across most segments, caution dominates mark-to-market activity amid ongoing economic uncertainty. Penang continues to attract attention, especially in the condominium segment. PropertyGuru Malaysia's April 2025 data showed a 9.1% increase in condominium listing views, driven by infrastructure developments such as the LRT Mutiara Line. However, Napic data indicates a decline in transactions for homes priced above RM1 million, reflecting growing resistance to premium price points. Johor is shaping up as a market where rising prices are starting to test buyer patience. Napic reports an 8.7% year-on-year increase in high-rise prices for Q1'25. Correspondingly, PropertyGuru Malaysia's April 2025 data shows a 19.5% year-on-year decline in interest for serviced residences, with overall views for non-landed homes also trending downward. Like the non-landed property types, demand for landed property types also decreased YoY. The rise of the value-conscious buyer A dip in the demand index does not mean buyers have disappeared. In fact, they are just more selective. According to April 2025 data from PropertyGuru Malaysia, apartment views fell 14.1% while semi-detached homes dropped 21.4% year-on-year. Yet, property types that strike a smart balance between price, location, and lifestyle are defying the trend. Some even gain traction. 0 Selangor is a standout. Terraced homes continue to outperform, with demand rising 2.7% year-on-year and overhang falling 40%, according to Napic. This points to a healthy alignment between supply and real buyer appetite. 0 In Penang, condominium interest surged 9.1% year-on-year, buoyed by better connectivity and more competitive pricing, highlighting the positive impact of infrastructure upgrades like the upcoming LRT Mutiara Line. 0 Meanwhile, in Johor, the story is more nuanced. Napic data shows a 3.2% year-on-year increase in the All-Housing Price Index, led by high-rise and terraced homes. However, the price growth appears to be dampening sentiment, with declining demand suggesting that affordability concerns are weighing buyer decisions. These shifts tell us something important: buyers haven't exited the markedt. They are just more focused on finding real value. Developers are reimagining value in real time As buyers become more measured and data-driven, developers are also evolving their strategies to stay aligned. The traditional playbook of driving volume or focusing solely on premium segments is being rebalanced to meet a market increasingly shaped by value-conscious demand. Success now lies in realistic pricing, particularly in the resilient RM500,000 to RM800,000 bracket. Homes within this range continue to see steady interest, especially when paired with strong connectivity and well-designed, liveable environments. Transit-oriented developments and communities with integrated green spaces are emerging as long-term favourites among buyers. Equally important is understanding the new pace of decision-making. Buyers are being more deliberate, investing time in research, comparisons, and consultations before committing. In this era of intentional ownership, developers who align with value-driven demand through realistic pricing, livability, and accessibility are well-positioned to thrive. At PropertyGuru, we continue to support our partners with timely market insights and actionable data to help them better anticipate buyer behaviour, optimise offerings, and drive stronger outcomes across all segments. This article is contributed by PropertyGuru & iProperty country manager Malaysia, Kenneth Soh.
Malaysian Reserve
4 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
AMD says it will restart MI308 sales to China after US review
ADVANCED Micro Devices Inc. said that it plans to restart shipments of its MI308 chips to China after the US said it would approve the sales, following a similar decision on an Nvidia Corp. semiconductor. The US Commerce Department told AMD that license applications for the MI308 products would move forward for review, an AMD spokesman said Tuesday. Allowing the products back into China is a reversal for President Donald Trump's administration, which spent weeks insisting that curbs on chips sales to the Asian country were not up for discussion. The news comes after weeks of thawing ties between the two nations as well as Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang's meeting with Trump last week. AMD said in April that export restrictions on the MI308 chips would cost the company about $800 million. Earlier, Nvidia similarly said the government had agreed to green-light shipments of its H20 AI chip to China, a decision that could add billions to the company's revenue this year. AMD shares rose 5% in premarket trading on Tuesday. The stock closed at $146.24 on Monday and has gained 21% this year. –BLOOMBERG
Focus Malaysia
5 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
IT outfit MMCS empowers Malaysian youth via strategic CSR initiatives in education and sports
MM Computer Systems Sdn Bhd (MMCS) has re-affirmed its commitment to community engagement and youth empowerment by sponsoring two impactful initiatives aimed at promoting educational enrichment and sports excellence among Malaysian youth. On July 6, the leading IT solutions and services provider through its wholly owned subsidiary Micro Technology Solution Sdn Bhd (MTS) supported the History and Patriotism Quiz Competition at AEON Mall Alpha Angle in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur. This event was intended to encourage secondary school pupils to deepen their understanding of Malaysian history while fostering a sense of national pride and patriotism. MMCS's sponsorship played a crucial role in facilitating this meaningful educational initiative, thus reflecting the company's dedication to nurturing informed and well-rounded future leaders. Further emphasising its commitment to youth development, MMCS contributed RM11,000 to the MBPJ (Petaling Jaya City Council) youth hockey team during the National Youth League event on July 10 at the MBPJ Headquarter. This financial support enabled young athletes to sharpen their skills, strengthen teamwork and showcase their potential at the national level. 'MMCS is committed to investing in our community, particularly in initiatives that support youth development and empowerment,' commented MMCS' director Macken Young. 'We firmly believe that education and sports are powerful tools for developing leadership, teamwork and a deep sense of community responsibility among young Malaysians.' At the end of the day, both initiatives form part of MMCS's broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy which emphasises sustainable impact through meaningful community engagement. By supporting educational and sporting programmes, MMCS continues to empower Malaysian youth to strive for excellence and make positive contributions to society. – July 15, 2025
