From policy to practice, Sarawak’s digital ambitions are taking shape through homegrown innovations like Pay & Go, reshaping daily urban life.
Efficiency on the Go
In line with the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has envisioned a Sarawak that is not left behind at the frontier of the digital economy. As Sarawak positions itself as a leader in the digital economy, the focus is shifting from adopting technology to creating it.
Cashless solutions and homegrown technology companies like Pay & Go exemplify this shift, reflecting how Sarawak is moving beyond importing digital tools towards building its own scalable platforms — designed locally, deployed statewide, and poised for regional expansion.
The post-pandemic period saw Pay & Go making waves in shopping malls, offering cashless, cardless, and seamless parking options. What began as a response to changing consumer behaviour soon evolved into a broader digital ecosystem, integrating convenience, efficiency, and data-driven operations into everyday urban mobility.
Most recently, Pay & Go integrated with local councils to offer digital payment for council parking. A revolutionary move, and one aligned with the Premier’s blueprint, Pay & Go in 2025 innovated a parking ecosystem that weaves technology and convenience into one.
Speaking to its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eddie Wee, he said that digital integration is much needed in today’s transformational era. Gone are the days of buying parking coupon books in bulk and scratching them as we park. In today’s digital economy, convenience is at our fingertips.
The introduction of convenience parking also fosters a fair ecosystem, where enforcement is applied equally to all drivers. Coming into its third month of implementation, Pay & Go on average serves tens of thousands of Kuching drivers daily.
“While we are new to this, as we’ve just taken on the role, there are still a lot of things to iron out, which we are going to address and improve along the way,” said Wee.
A new journey with Pay & Go
With the implementation of digital payment for council parking, Wee described the system as one of the most advanced parking platforms in Malaysia, and in Asia. Guided by the tagline “Lifestyle Convenience at Your Fingertips”, Pay & Go reflects a broader effort to leverage technology to create everyday convenience for all.
Elaborating further, Wee explained that queuing to pay for parking or having to visit parking booths consumes time better spent on productive activities.
“If everyone takes up to 20 minutes a day to make a parking payment, it becomes a cost to society through the loss of productivity,” he said.
“If every driver in Sarawak were to spend 15 to 20 minutes daily, over the course of a year, that represents a significant loss in efficiency. By developing these council parking applications, we hope to increase productivity and efficiency for everyone, and in turn, contribute to the local economy,” he added.
Parking wardens, too, have seen improvements in efficiency through the Pay & Go system. Previously, wardens were required to manually record vehicle registration numbers. Today, inspections are carried out through digital scanning — either individually or via e-bikes. The latter, Wee noted, are capable of scanning up to 2,000 car plates per hour simply by riding past parked vehicles.
Behind these operations lies an extensive data and information processing system. While acknowledging the complexity involved, Wee said the team remains committed to continuous improvement.
“We are constantly reviewing how we can do better and reduce errors as much as possible. So we are also improvising our methodology as we go every day,” he said.
Inclusivity within exclusivity
Though the technology integration brings convenience, the baby boomer generation may find it difficult to adapt. Acknowledging the challenges, Pay & Go introduced Elderly Easy Payment (EEP) to mitigate the problem and offer a seamless solution.
By including everyone in the new digital economy, Wee explained that elderly people registered under EEP are not required to have a handphone, as fees are automatically deducted from their linked family member’s prepaid account or their personal accounts.
With Kuching setting the example as an elderly-friendly city, the CEO disclosed having registered over 26,000 car plates under the EEP programme. While it was a struggle in the initial stages, Wee noted that once users became familiar with the system, everyone could enjoy the benefits of convenience.
Pay & Go New Year’s resolution
With 2026 underway, people are increasingly integrating technology into their daily routines. Looking ahead, Wee hopes that within a year, this growing familiarity will translate into tangible outcomes driven by convenience.
Reflecting on the journey, Wee highlighted the dynamic and passionate team behind Pay & Go. As a Sarawak company developing its own proprietary software, he said the effort goes beyond entrepreneurship, representing a move towards homegrown, cutting-edge innovation shaped by local talent.
“I remember, when we first launched our product in 2020, I have always been a firm believer that when we believe in ourselves, we can achieve what we want to do. To me, we cannot be afraid of challenges and problems because they are meant to be solved.”
More than simplifying parking, Pay & Go demonstrates how homegrown digital solutions can save time, improve efficiency, and foster fairness while remaining inclusive to all generations. In doing so, it offers a practical glimpse into a future where Sarawak’s digital economy is shaped not by imported systems, but by local ideas, local talent, and a clear vision of progress.
