Latest news with #Touch'nGo
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Price of scan to pay
THE pandemic brought many things with it, mostly bad, but it also paved the way forward for others, such as how it radically changed consumer habits by triggering a huge shift towards digital payments. In Malaysia today, a quick scan of a QR code can pay for anything from a small pack of nasi lemak to a full-blown car wash. Platforms such as Touch 'n Go (TNG) e-wallet, GrabPay, Boost and MAE by Maybank are well on their way to becoming a crucial part of everyday life. However, the adoption of digital wallets is not an exclusively positive phenomenon. In a country where cash was king for a long time, are e-wallets truly a superior option? The case for e-wallets ➤ Convenience at scale Scan-to-pay has taken hold in urban areas, especially among younger consumers. The TNG e-wallet, for example, claims to have over 400,000 merchant touchpoints nationwide. From paying for parking to transferring duit raya, the reach is undeniable. ➤ Cashback, coins and perks Digital wallets are not just functional – they are rewarding. Boost Coins, GrabRewards and the occasional 20% cashback deals have normalised gamified spending. For high-frequency users, especially in Klang Valley, these incentives offer tangible savings. ➤ Built-in transaction records E-wallets log every transaction automatically, even if the in-app records are not automatically updated. This is not just helpful for budgeting, it also serves as a quiet nudge toward financial accountability, especially for younger Malaysians managing freelance or gig-based incomes. ➤ Reduced theft risk Cash is vulnerable. Lose it and it is gone. E-wallets, on the other hand, are protected by PINs, biometrics and in most cases, remote lock features. Bank Negara Malaysia's Risk Management in Technology policy also requires service providers to meet certain security standards. The catch ➤ Rural disconnect Pushing an agenda for a cashless society first requires everyone to have similar easy access to the infrastructure required, which may not be the case in rural areas, where infrastructure can vary greatly not only between each other, but with cities. More often than not, cash still dominates in smaller towns and pasar malam stalls. ➤ Dependency on connectivity E-wallets are only as reliable as your internet connection. Payment failures due to weak signal or app downtime remain a frustration. Offline QR payment options exist but are not widely implemented. ➤ Easier to overspend Tap, confirm, done. The physical 'pain' of handing over cash disappears with digital payments. That psychological distance can lead to impulse spending, which is an issue particularly relevant for teens, students and even adults with weak willpower. ➤Data is not just yours E-wallets track when, where and what users spend their digital currency on. That data can be used for targeted ads or internal analysis. Malaysia's Personal Data Protection Act provides some protection, but concerns have been raised over its effectiveness. Middle ground In a top-down structured environment with streamlined digital payments from cities, chain retailers, parking systems and toll booths, to name a few, going cashless makes sense. For everything else, cash remains almost as essential. Additionally, the government is not pushing to eliminate cash, with Bank Negara Malaysia's agenda being a cashless-ready society, where digital tools are an option, rather than a be-all, end-all mandate. It allows room for further tech adoption without necessarily alienating older users, low-income earners or communities without the proper infrastructure in place. E-wallets are without a doubt useful and efficient. It has evolved fast in the past six years and will continue to do so, but in Malaysia, where the digital divide is still real, they work best as a supplement, not a full replacement, for cash. The smartest move for most? Use both. Let digital tools make your life easier but do not get rid of the backup plan in your wallets and purses just yet.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Malay Mail
Trains running as usual tomorrow, KTMB says despite ‘Turun Anwar' protest
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has assured that all train services under its operation will run as usual tomorrow, following the advice of Transport Minister Anthony Loke. KTMB, in a statement today, said its priority is to ensure smooth, safe, and comfortable travel for commuters. According to the statement, commuters are advised to plan their journeys by checking the latest schedules on the company's official website at to ensure smooth travel. 'Commuters are reminded to comply with staff instructions and announcements at stations to ensure smooth movement and collective safety. 'The usage of the KTM Mobile (KITS) application for convenient ticket purchases and real-time schedule checks via MyRailtime is also encouraged,' the statement said. KTMB also urged commuters to make cashless ticket payments using debit or credit cards, e-wallets, and Touch 'n Go for faster and more comfortable travel. Today, Loke said all public transport services, including KTMB and Prasarana Malaysia Berhad stations, will operate as usual tomorrow. Loke emphasised the importance of keeping Kuala Lumpur's public transportation running smoothly to ensure that the majority of people can go about their weekend activities without disruption from the ralliy scheduled to take place in the capital tomorrow. — Bernama
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
KTMB confirms normal train services tomorrow amid rally
KUALA LUMPUR: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has confirmed that all its train services will run as scheduled tomorrow, following Transport Minister Anthony Loke's assurance. The company prioritises passenger safety and convenience, urging travellers to stay updated via official channels. In a statement today, KTMB advised commuters to verify train schedules on its website or through the KTM Mobile (KITS) app. 'Real-time updates via MyRailtime will help avoid delays,' the statement added. Passengers were also reminded to follow station staff instructions for smoother boarding and enhanced safety. The company encouraged cashless payments using debit or credit cards, e-wallets, or Touch 'n Go for quicker transactions. Earlier, Loke confirmed that all public transport, including KTMB and Prasarana Malaysia Berhad services, would remain unaffected by tomorrow's rally in Kuala Lumpur. He stressed the need for uninterrupted travel to minimise disruptions for weekend commuters. - Bernama
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Loke: Protest tomorrow if you wish, just take the train
Published on: Friday, July 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 By: Malay Mail Text Size: Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook rides on a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train at Bandar Tun Hussein Onn MRT Station, Kuala Lumpur December 21, 2023. — Picture by Firdaus Latif Kuala Lumpur: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has encouraged participants of tomorrow rally at Dataran Merdeka to use public transport to reduce congestion in the city centre. He said all public transport services including trains will continue operating as usual on the day. Loke stressed that the Madani government upholds the right to peaceful assembly, even for groups opposed to the administration. 'We must not return to an era that suppressed democracy to the point of shutting down Parliament,' he said. He added that public transport must keep running to ensure that the majority of Malaysians can carry out their weekend plans without disruption. Loke took the opportunity to remind Klang Valley users that the subsidised MY50 travel pass can now be renewed online via the Touch 'n Go app. He also highlighted the RM6 MyCity Pass, which offers unlimited daily travel on LRT, MRT, BRT, Monorail and Rapid Bus services, and will be digitised by year-end. The minister then repeated his call for all rally-goers to ride public transport and help ease traffic flow in the capital. City police previously said they will not close any roads for the rally, but will deploy additional manpower to 15 train stations in the vicinity to facilitate movement. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Public transport services must continue operating despite rally, instructs Transport Minister
IPOH: All public transportation services, including Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) and Prasarana trains, must continue operating as usual despite the 'Himpunan Turun Anwar' rally, instructs Anthony Loke. In a Facebook post on Friday (July 25), the Transport Minister said the Madani Government upholds the right to peaceful assembly, including for those who oppose the government. "We cannot return to an era that oppressed democracy, to the point of even shutting down Parliament. "Importantly, our public transportation must continue operating to ensure the majority of the public can go about their weekend activities without being disrupted by the opposition rally,' he said. Loke also urged rally participants to use public transport to help reduce traffic congestion. The Himpunan Turun Anwar rally, organised by Perikatan Nasional, is expected to take place in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (July 26), calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Earlier, KTMB denied issuing any directive to close its Bank Negara Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur stations on July 26. This came in response to a notice circulating on social media ahead of the rally. In a reply to a user's comment on its official Facebook page today, KTMB clarified that there had been no official announcement from its management regarding such a move. Meanwhile, the Transport Minister reminded commuters that the My50 Pass could now be renewed digitally via the Touch 'n Go app. 'For first-time visitors to the city, you can enjoy unlimited rides on LRT, MRT, BRT, Monorail, and Rapid Bus for a day using the MyCity Pass, which only costs RM6. This pass will also be digitised by the end of the year,' he added.
