The Ipoh City Council (MBI), with joint effort from Maybank has implemented ‘MAE-mang Boleh Raya’ cashless payments at Ramadan bazaars around the city via the Ipoh Smart City Smart Economy initiative.
According to the Mayor of Ipoh, Dato’ Rumaizi Baharin, the e-wallet programme is one of the quick-win steps in the Ipoh Smart City project implementation.
“The programme is to encourage the usage of digital transactions for every purchase or service payment.
“With e-wallet services available at Ramadan bazaars, customers need not bring along too much cash with them, subsequently speeding up transactions.
“Also, it’ll reduce risks of fraudulent transactions by easily providing trackable spending records and enabling spending control.
“What’s even more attractive is that rebates will be offered to further encourage e-wallet usage.”
He told reporters during a media session after a walk-about at the Ramadan bazaar near Stadium Indera Mulia today (April 13).
The programme features incentives for both customers and business operators.
Customers get to enjoy a 20 percent price cut for every two times of purchase.
For business operators, not only will they receive on-the-spot payment transactions, every stall operator will receive two aprons and masks free of charge.
It does not end there. The stall that records the highest number of sales for the week will qualify for a RM500 cash prize and the stall that records the highest overall number of sales will qualify for the grand prize of RM1,500.
Also present at the walk-about was the regional director of Maybank Perak, Datin Munirah Che Rose.
According to her, 80 percent of the stalls are registered with Maybank’s e-wallet payment platform.
“There are around 100 stalls in this bazaar alone that are on board with the cashless payment system.
“Hopefully, the remaining are willing to join the cause in progressing towards utilising e-wallet platforms.
“As the pilot project of this cashless payment at the bazaar here, we’ve received great responses so far,” she added.
Yesterday, Rumaizi said during a media session at Weil Hotel that the council does not plan to cancel Ramadan bazaars, despite Ipoh being a red zone of COVID-19 cases and the surfacing of the Jalan Canning Estate cluster near the bazaar.
“So far, there hasn’t been any issues regarding SOP compliance by the public. However, MBI will refine management guidelines of the bazaars should the need arise.
“For now, bazaars around Ipoh will be operating under strict adherence of SOPs as set by the National Security Council (NSC) and Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia.
“There will be officers stationed at every bazaar to monitor the public’s compliance and latest situations,” he reassured.
Chris Teh
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