Sarawak’s financial technology platform, S Pay Global, has achieved an exponential milestone as its users have nearly doubled in new registration accounts following the announcement of the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance Scheme (SKAS), which has been distributed through the platform.
During a recent interview with Sarawak Tribune, Head of Business Development at SiliconNet Technologies Sdn Bhd, Morris Barnabas, said that this sharp increase also contributed significantly to the growth in both the number and value of transactions via S Pay Global.
He also noted that the rise in registrations reflected a growing public confidence in using digital platforms for government aid.
Sarawak Tribune: Can you explain the policy and role of S Pay Global in developing the technological and digital economic ecosystem in Sarawak.
The role of S Pay Global is in line with Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which is to support the digitalisation of Sarawak Government services and to assist in developing the digital payment technology ecosystem in order to strengthen the overall digital economy in Sarawak.
Sarawak Tribune: As a provider of cashless assistance and transaction platforms, how does S Pay Global view the differences in usage levels between urban and rural communities?
There is a noticeable gap between urban and rural communities, especially in terms of technology usage and digital literacy. Many rural residents, particularly the elderly, lack exposure to modern technologies and may struggle to use applications like S Pay Global effectively.
Sarawak Tribune: What steps has S Pay Global taken to help rural communities access the SKAS assistance?
To support rural communities, S Pay Global has integrated the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS) application process within its platform, providing users with a link to check their eligibility. This tool helps rural residents apply for SKAS directly through the app. We also send notifications through S Pay Global to SKAS recipients, urging them to take immediate action by pressing the “Acknowledge” button so that the SKAS assistance can be credited to their S Pay Global account. Additionally, we have participated in various outreach programmes in rural areas to help eligible SKAS recipients register for and use S Pay Global to receive the financial assistance.
Sarawak Tribune: How many outreach programmes has S Pay Global conducted so far, and how effective have it been?
In 2024, S Pay Global participated in approximately 40 outreach programmes, and as of July 2025, we have taken part in around 20 more. We are very proud that the majority of these outreach programmes have achieved their objectives, particularly in helping rural communities who face issues with the S Pay Global registration process, technical problems, or other service-related matters. These issues can be resolved on the spot through our mobile service counters. This initiative has greatly helped rural communities to better understand and adopt the latest e-wallet technology, ensuring they are not left behind in the wave of digitalisation.
Sarawak Tribune: How can the S Pay Global platform leverage digital technology to empower the digital economy in Sarawak, particularly among small traders and rural communities?
S Pay Global has helped many small traders, particularly in the area of digital payments, which are now safer and more organised. Users and sellers no longer need to carry cash to complete sales transactions anywhere. For rural communities, they no longer need to carry cash or go to an ATM to withdraw money—they can make payments directly using S Pay Global for their daily transactions, especially for utility bill payments.
Sarawak Tribune: Is S Pay Global one of the government’s digital initiatives? Can you explain further?
Yes. S Pay Global is an e-wallet application fully owned by the Sarawak Government. It is one of the digital initiatives aimed at digitising the services of the Sarawak State Government, in line with PCDS 2030 and the SDE Blueprint 2030. The S Pay Global e-wallet was established in 2017 by the Sarawak Government to support the aspirations of digital economic transformation.
Sarawak Tribune: Can you share the current user and transaction statistics for S Pay Global?
As of June 15, 2025, S Pay Global has recorded a total of 138 million transactions with a transaction value of RM5.21 billion. The platform has 1.59 million registered users and 94,700 registered merchants. These figures reflect strong growth and wide acceptance of cashless payments in Sarawak. Beyond basic bill payments and purchases, S Pay Global now offers additional functions including QR code payments, bill splitting, fund transfers, eGifts, discount coupons, loyalty rewards, insurance services, student loan payments, food ordering, donations, parking payments, and top-ups via online banking, credit or debit cards, and BSN agents.
Sarawak Tribune: SKAS assistance is also a government initiative. What is your view on the fact that it is delivered digitally?
The SKAS assistance, delivered via the S Pay Global e-wallet, allows direct financial support to eligible Sarawakians in a secure and transparent manner. The funds are non-transferable and can only be spent at approved merchants on essential goods and services. This approach ensures that the assistance is used appropriately, improves accountability, and supports those in need in both urban and rural areas. The digital method also simplifies disbursement, enhances the user experience, and aligns with Sarawak’s financial inclusion goals.
Sarawak Tribune: Can you elaborate more on how the Digital Assistance Solutions simplify the disbursement and use of the aid funds?
The platform allows for efficient and secure disbursement of aid, ensuring that only verified recipients receive the assistance promptly and safely. Recipients can easily use the aid at approved merchants, specifically for purchasing essential goods, which helps ensure that the funds are used for their intended purpose. With seamless access to digital payments available 24/7, both recipients and merchants benefit from the convenience of continuous availability, without any expiry date. Additionally, the system enables efficient and cost-effective fund management by reducing administrative expenses while improving the overall efficiency of disbursement and monitoring processes.
Sarawak Tribune: What are the main challenges S Pay Global faces in disbursing SKAS assistance?
Undeniably, we face several challenges, particularly with SKAS recipients who have limited exposure to technology and digital literacy. This makes it somewhat difficult for them to access SKAS assistance through the S Pay Global e-wallet. However, with the support of the Sarawak State Government, we have undertaken various initiatives in remote areas to assist and provide guidance on the registration and usage of S Pay Global, especially for the purpose of receiving SKAS assistance.
Sarawak Tribune: Are there users who have not claimed their SKAS assistance?
Yes, there are still some users who have not claimed their SKAS assistance. This may be due to several factors, including limited access to technology and a lack of digital literacy among certain segments of the population.
