Waiting an infinity for QR code payments to go through?
JUNE 28 — Most people are aware there are some important issues and problems related to QR code payments. These include: security and fraud risks, code interoperability, merchant confusion, refunds, transaction fees, limited adoption, etc.
However, there is a less critical but (potentially) no less annoying one.
I was standing in line at a nasi kandar shop, waiting for my turn to pay. There were only two other customers in front of me, so I didn't envision a long wait.
But then three minutes became five minutes then eight became 10 until not just me but the patrons behind me were like, okay, what on earth is happening?
Then lo and behold, we found out the reason for the delay: It appears one of the folks in front of me was waiting for his Touch & Go app to load!
Out of embarrassment, the person shyly showed us his screen, with the dreaded 'spinning wheel' reflecting its ongoing attempt to load.
Thankfully none of us were facing some national emergency so we all patiently waited and smiled and gave each other 'Yeah I know right' nods.
Eventually, perhaps after 12 minutes or so, the problem was fixed and we all managed to pay and leave.
However, I wonder if this incident reflects a deeper problem with digital payments in general and QR code payments in particular.
As we all know, these mobile banking and e-wallet apps require frequent updates.
Long and short, we are certainly going to see longer queues when making payment at shops because the functionality and speed of old phones (or just slow ones) is a problem which won't go away too fast. — SoyaCincau pic
That's fine and good given security and performance concerns but, alamak, not everyone possesses high-quality phones which can cater to so many updates and, aiyo, not everyone is phone-savvy enough to close their numerous apps before opening their e-wallets to make payment.
Long and short, we are certainly going to see longer queues when making payment at shops because the functionality and speed of old phones (or just slow ones) is a problem which won't go away too fast.
In case anyone is tempted to think this is 'not that big a deal', consider that every day in Malaysia we can have literally millions of over-the-counter transactions involving QR payments. Imagine if even 10 per cent of such transactions are stretched five minutes longer? How much time would be collectively wasted?
Analogously, isn't this why our government created the MyBorder Pass to save an extra minute or so despite the airport's autogate working relatively fast? Because when you add up all the minutes, the time savings are substantial and everyone wins?
I've lost count of the number of times I've had to tell a customer behind me at a KK Mart to go ahead and pay first (despite me being ahead of said person in the queue) because I forgot I needed about 20 seconds for my Maybank app to load and, sigh, I didn't bring my wallet.
Now imagine a customer who not only has no other way (apart from the QR code) to make his payment but he also forgot to update his app such that he's got to perform the update on the spot.
A perfect storm is if this person's phone is a bit dated and he refuses to let anyone take his place until the upgrade is completed. And you wonder why there are videos of people fighting over wait times!
Anyway, if this article does nothing but encourage people who always use QR code payments to kindly get their apps ready before they join the payment counter queue, I'd be happy.
We Malaysians certainly need less stress in our lives.
* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Malaysia eyes nuclear energy revival, stronger ties with Uzbekistan, Russia
MOSCOW, June 28 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has concluded his eight-day working visit to Uzbekistan and Russia, marking a pivotal step in Malaysia's renewed efforts to strengthen strategic international partnerships. The visit focused on the potential revival of Malaysia's nuclear energy programme, alongside collaboration in the halal economy, tourism, energy investments and Islamic finance. A key milestone was the signing of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) between MyPower Corporation, a special-purpose agency under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), and the Russian state atomic energy agency Rosatom. The agreement paves the way for potential cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology, as Malaysia re-evaluates its long-term energy strategy. As Malaysia advances its National Energy Transition Roadmap, nuclear energy is being seriously considered as a reliable, clean baseload option to diversify the energy mix and achieve long-term climate and energy security goals. Malaysia previously had a robust nuclear development agenda, including plans to commission two nuclear power plants by 2021. However, these plans were shelved, and the Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation was disbanded in 2018. Today, amid increasing pressure to decarbonise and diversify its energy sources, nuclear energy is once again under consideration as a viable low-carbon option. A recently completed pre-feasibility study yielded encouraging findings, prompting the government to explore implementation pathways that align fully with global safety, security and non-proliferation standards. The visit also reinforced Malaysia's global halal leadership. Both Uzbekistan and Russia expressed strong interest in leveraging Malaysia's well-established halal ecosystem. Additionally, the Uzbek government extended a formal invitation to Malaysia's national oil and gas company, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), to consider reinvesting in the republic's energy sector. Petronas had exited Uzbekistan in 2013, but new opportunities in exploration and upstream development have emerged as Uzbekistan seeks to revitalise its energy landscape. Tourism ties were boosted by AirAsia X's launch of direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tashkent, operating three times weekly. Recognising the potential to further enhance travel and trade, Fadillah encouraged AirAsia X to expand its route to include Samarkand, a historic Silk Road city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering added value for both leisure and cultural tourism. Uzbekistan is also keen to collaborate with Malaysia on carbon trading, and has expressed interest in tapping Malaysia's extensive experience in developing the sukuk market — an area in which Malaysia is widely recognised as a global leader in Islamic finance. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Structural reset needed to end crashes plaguing bus industry, says expert
Wan Agyl Wan Hassan says the frequency of bus crashes demands more than just a short-term fix. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Malaysia's bus industry is in urgent need of structural reform to curb the number of fatal crashes plaguing the sector, according to transport consultant Wan Agyl Wan Hassan. Earlier this week, Utusan Malaysia reported that more than 203 bus-related accidents were recorded in the country between January 2023 and May this year, resulting in 39 deaths, 68 serious injuries, and 197 minor injuries. Wan Agyl, founder of transport think tank My Mobility Vision, said those statistics showed the country's road safety record was a 'national failure'. 'It demands more than a short-term fix,' he added. Wan Agyl Wan Hassan. He said the accidents, though varied in their specific causes, were ultimately the result of a transport system under severe stress from cost and manpower pressures, as well as regulatory blind spots. 'On one hand, there's growing demand; more people travelling, more school trips, more factory charters. 'On the other hand, there's a severe shortage of trained and full-time drivers, and margins so thin that operators are forced to take risks just to keep their businesses alive,' he told FMT. Police have attributed the crashes to speeding, poor vehicle maintenance, mechanical failures, and pressure exerted on drivers by bus operators. Yusri said driver error was the main factor behind these accidents, adding that many of them were fatigued from driving for too long without rest, while others had little experience operating buses or were under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Wan Agyl called for a nationwide employment framework for drivers that ensured fair pay, regulated hours and career stability. He said bus drivers are typically hired on 'loose' contracts rather than given permanent employment—unlike countries like Japan where commercial bus drivers are medically screened, trained and employed under a national system. 'In Singapore, the Land Transport Authority contracts bus services based on performance, not just price, ensuring safety standards are part of the business model. 'Even in Dubai, companies like Dubai Taxi Corporation run structured driver employment systems with safety and service built into their operations. Malaysia can do this, but we haven't,' he said. Wan Agyl said a structural reset would involve digitising compliance so that all commercial buses have real-time GPS devices that record speed and distance. To qualify for operating permits, bus companies should also be required to maintain detailed maintenance logs, he added. 'It means auditing and grading bus operators based on safety performance and disqualifying low-grade firms from winning government or tourism contracts. 'And it means finally enacting laws that hold company directors and operators liable — not just the man at the wheel—when systemic negligence leads to harm,' he said. Wan Agyl called for the formation of a national bus safety task force under the transport ministry, with representation from the road transport department, Land Public Transport Agency, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, and industry players. 'There is no reason for transport safety to be fragmented when lives are at stake,' he said.
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Sarawak govt's RM1m contribution completes funding for St Peter's Church in Padungan
KUCHING, June 28 — The Sarawak government has contributed an additional RM1 million to the building fund of St Peter's Church, Padungan, marking the final financial boost needed to complete the RM38 million construction of the new church. The cheque was handed over during the church's official opening ceremony today, in a gesture of continued support for religious harmony and development in the state. 'On behalf of the Sarawak government, we will be handing over a RM1 million cheque to the church in further aid to the building fund,' said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg in a text of speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. Abang Johari congratulated the Catholic community on the successful completion of the iconic house of worship. 'This is not just a place for prayer and reflection, it is a symbol of vision, resilience, and deep-rooted faith. 'Located in the very centre of Kuching, the presence of St. Peter's Church, among other religious houses in close proximity, is a powerful testament to the religious harmony and unity that Sarawak is so proud to uphold,' he said. The church's completion was made possible through a combination of donations, government funding, and community support, with much of the fundraising effort taking place amid the challenges of the pandemic. Poh speaks to reporters when met at the event. — The Borneo Post pic Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Datuk Simon Poh said the total cost of the building was RM38 million. 'Yes, so from the overall initial planning it was RM38 million and then you know the pandemic knocked out all the donors and pledgers so we had to start from zero again,' he said. Poh acknowledged the critical role of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), which had earlier contributed RM2 million through two separate cheques presented in the past two years. 'And then today is the final cheque,' he said. According to him, the RM1 million presented today brought the total contribution from the Sarawak government through Unifor to RM3 million. 'With this last RM1 million, today we received a total of RM3 million from the Sarawak government through Unifor. We have enough just to cover everything and pay everything so tomorrow we will consecrate the whole church together,' he said. While some minor funding is still needed for furnishings and interior work, Poh said the contract sum for construction is now fully covered. 'The smaller things like furnishing and interior work still need to be done, but the building, the contract sum, everything is cleared. With the last RM1 million coming in, we can cover everything,' he added. The Archbishop noted that support had come not just from Catholics but from many other communities and faiths in Sarawak. 'This church stands more than just the church for the Catholic because people from all walks of life are looking and saying wow this is in Kuching. It's amazing that we don't need to go to Europe to see a very nice church here,' he said. Poh said the church had become a new landmark symbolising unity and mutual respect among Sarawakians. 'This became a landmark for a sign of our desire for harmony, contributing to society and building a better Sarawak for peace, for harmony, as a model for other parts of Malaysia and for the world,' he added. Built entirely using local materials and expertise, the church also showcases Sarawak's growing capabilities in architecture and construction, said Poh. 'This is the beginning of something that's possible. So Anak Sarawak out there, those graduating in a few years, by 2030, they can come back. We believe Sarawak will provide employment and continue contributing to peace, harmony, and progress.' The consecration of the new St Peter's Church is scheduled to take place tomorrow. — The Borneo Post
