JERTIH: Agrobank Group, in collaboration with its strategic partners under the Financial Education Network (FEN), today organised the e-Celik Kewangan Carnival on Perhentian Island as a proactive initiative to expand the adoption of digital payment systems on the resort island.
Agrobank Group president and chief executive officer, Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin, said the programme also involved various agencies, including the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
“We selected Perhentian Island because a large portion of the local community depends on the tourism sector for their livelihood, while many are also involved in the fishing industry,” he told reporters after the launch ceremony of the eCelik Wang Programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pulau Perhentian, which Bank Negara Malaysia Deputy Governor Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid officiated.
He said the digitalisation initiative has received an encouraging response from more than 60 local merchants, who are now ready to accept electronic and digital cashless payments. He added that Agrobank has introduced the DuitNow QR code payment system in the area as a cashless payment method.
Tengku Ahmad Badli said the project on the resort island is a continuation of Agrobank’s community development programme following the successful implementation of a similar pilot project on Pulau Sri Tanjung, Kelantan, and will next be expanded to Kuala Perlis, Perlis. “Agrobank will provide financial management and digital marketing guidance to local traders here for three months. We hope that, through continuous monitoring, the community’s understanding and use of digital technology on Perhentian Island will continue to improve over time,” he added.
Tengku Ahmad Badli said the initiative forms part of FEN’s ongoing commitment under the Ministry of Finance to improve financial literacy and promote financial inclusion among rural communities across the country. – BERNAMA
