PTPTN Calls All Borrowers To Update Their Personal Information

(Image:
Malay Mail
)

The National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) has announced that all PTPTN loan borrowers have until 25 July to update their personal information as part of its efforts to introduce its loan deferment policy. PTPTN has also requested for assistance from the Employees Provident Fund (KWSP) and the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) to gather more details on PTPTN borrowers.

According to PTPTN chairman Wan Saiful Wan Jan, the purpose of the information gathering exercise is to identify borrowers who earn less than RM4,000 per month, before allowing them to delay repaying their education loan. The PTPTN chairman said that borrowers have until 25 July to update their information, which includes their occupation, salary, phone number, and email address.

“If it is not done within the stipulated time, we will assume that they don’t wish to delay the repayment of their loans and they will not be included in new policies with regards to the matter,” he said.

Besides that, PTPTN has also enlisted the help of EPF and LHDN in gathering information on all PTPTN loan borrowers. Wan Saiful Wan Jan said this cooperation will not only enable the corporation to implement the loan deferment policy sooner but also help PTPTN to verify the information provided by borrowers.

These efforts are in line with one of Pakatan Harapan’s GE14 manifesto, which was to PTPTN borrowers whose monthly income are below RM4,000 to delay their loan repayment.

Borrowers can update their information via the dedicated
PTPTN Income Information Update
 landing page on its website.

(Source:
The

Star
)

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One Week With TNG RFID: An Imperfect Glimpse Of The Future

Recently, TNG Digital invited us to be one of the testers of one of the company’s new products: TNG RFID. The successor to the aging SmartTAG, TNG RFID promises a future where toll booths have no barrier gates, where drivers do not need to drive at a snail’s pace to make sure the sensors caught your tag. After just over a week using this new technology, I’m happy to report that TNG RFID carries a lot of promise, but in its current form it doesn’t quite impress.

We covered
TNG RFID and its underlying technology
 previously, so we won’t go into detail here. Essentially, TNG RFID uses radio frequency tags attached to the car, and is picked up by overhead scanners at the toll booth, lifting the barrier gate as we drive along. The RFID tag is linked to the Touch N Go e-Wallet, where the toll fare would be automatically deducted.

The entire process is cashless, and in theory, drivers would not have to stop their cars to have their RFID tags scanned. After using it for a week in my daily commute to work, here are some observations from my experience using TNG RFID.

Setting Up TNG RFID

I had my TNG RFID sticker fitment done at the Bangsar South fitment centre, which was basically in the lower-ground car park below the Touch n Go Experience Centre in Bangsar South. I was told that this is one of only five fitment centres currently available for the 100,000 pilot testers, but as the program continues more fitment centres would be opened. TNG Digital says there will also be “mobile” fitment centres in popular areas with adequate space, such as petrol stations.

The entire process is actually really quick. First, you’ll need to provide verification of your car (such as an insurance cover note), as well as your IC. You can link multiple RFID tags to a single TNG eWallet account, and that will require a written permission from the car owner. Once verification is complete, a technician would examine your car. Currently, TNG is offering two different RFID sticker options: one to be place at your headlamp, and the other that’s placed on the inside of the car’s windscreen.

Users won’t have the choice to pick which sticker they want, as it is dependent on whether the car is tinted or not. Most users would prefer sticking it on the windscreen, but if your car is tinted the SOP is to use the headlamp sticker. Those using premium ceramic-based tinting may get to use the windscreen sticker, however. In extreme cases, if your headlamps are tinted, the technician would proceed to sticking the sticker on the outside of the windscreen.

Once that’s done, the technician will test the RFID sticker’s responsiveness by using a handheld RF scanner and aiming at the sticker from various angles to see if its signal can be picked up.

In all, the entire fitment process only took about 15 minutes – with five of those at the verification counter. Before I could use the system, I’d have to wait for an activation SMS to inform me that I can start using TNG RFID, which came several hours later. When it is activated, you’ll be able to see the RFID option with your registered car number plate in the TNG eWallet.

How Good Is TNG RFID?

I use two highways in KL that has RFID lanes on my daily commute to and from work: Sprint and the Kerinchi Link. Throughout the week, both lanes work and detect the RFID tag on my car, but there was one pretty glaring issue: the RFID scanner would only pick up my car’s sticker’s signal dangerously close to the barrier gate.

From its FAQ section
, TNG says that its RFID system has a range of 27m, and a response time of just 10 miliseconds. While this may be theoretically correct, the reality is nowhere near this figure. Kerinchi Link’s RFID lane, in particular, consistently scanned the tag successfully only when my car was inches away from hitting the barrier gate. Even when approaching the lane at a steady 20km/h, the system never gave me the confidence that I could maintain my 20km/h speed and lift the gate in time, forcing me to jump on the brake pedal in panic moments before the barrier gate lifted.

The RFID lane in the Sprint, on the other hand, is more forgiving, though I still had to be driving around 15-20km/h. That speed is almost the same speed at which we drive into SmartTAG lanes, so that’s still not exactly an improvement.

I spoke to some other pilot testers and found that they too had similar experiences in other highways with RFID. It appears that different highways installed the RF sensors at different locations of the booth, so even if it works, the point at which the sensor detects your car’s RFID tag will be different.

Interestingly, this isn’t all down to poor implementation on TNG Digital’s part. At a media briefing for the system, we were told that the company took the unusual step of reducing the overhead sensor’s sensitivity so that it would only focus on a single lane. Normally, three sensors would be enough to scan five lanes, but since there is only one dedicated RFID lane, the decrease in sensitivity also means RFID-equipped cars have to drive slower than normal.

This lower sensitivity is the biggest pain point of the entire TNG RFID experience. Many countries use RFID scanning technology for their gateless toll systems as the technology is reliable enough to track even when cars are cruising at moderate speeds. So for Malaysia to have RFID tolls that still have gates
and
reduced sensitivity to the point where it is about as good as SmartTAG, it somewhat defeats the purpose of the upgrade. Of course, this is an issue that will eventually go away when our tolls are fully upgraded to be RFID-only, but in the meantime, we’re stuck with a sub-par experience.

Paying Tolls With TNG RFID

TNG RFID is linked to the user’s Touch n Go eWallet, where the fare would be deducted automatically. In my week of testing, there was absolutely no issue with the app correctly deducting the fare. It would be nice if I could see my wallet balance at the toll gate display though, because I don’t usually remember how much balance I have at any given time.

Which leads us to the question: what would happen if there is insufficient funds in your eWallet, and you drive through the RFID lane?

For now, drivers would be stuck in the embarrassing situation where the barrier gate will not open if you have insufficient funds in the TNG eWallet, and would be required to pay via other forms. In future, however, TNG Digital will enable a feature that will allow you to pass at least once without paying the toll fare – the amount would be automatically deducted the next time you top up your eWallet.

How Safe Is The TNG RFID Sticker?

One aspect that took up plenty of questions during the TNG RFID was about the RFID sticker itself. Many took issue with the fact that the only place where it can be installed is on the car’s headlamps. How safe is it? Could it fall off? What happens if someone takes it off and puts it on their car?

While the durability of the sticker will remain unanswered for now, TNG Digital reps did a great job with explaining and addressing our concerns. Here are a few of them:

The RFID sticker has security measures in place to render it unusable if it is peeled off.

The RFID sticker chosen by TNG Digital is designed to withstand temperatures between -20°C and 55°C.

The RFID sticker is also dirt- and weather-proof, and works passively – no batteries needed.

The RFID sticker has an average lifespan of five years.

Is TNG RFID The Future?

TNG RFID is just one of the ways TNG Digital is encouraging a cashless society that Bank Negara Malaysia is actively pushing for. Being reliant on a physical card and a proprietary reader for tolls doesn’t cut it at a time when everything is done digitally with the most powerful device we have in our hands: the smartphone.

Thankfully, it isn’t, and TNG RFID is one solid effort to enable this shift to a cashless future. However, there are socio-economical barriers to the implementation of a fully-cashless system, which means progress will be slow. It has taken the unusual step of reducing the sensitivity of its RFID sensors during this trial program, and mentioned that it will not enable a full RFID toll system until the public is ready to do so – and that’s going to be a while more.

But that first time when the barrier gate magically lifted – though I almost drove into it – was an eye-opening experience at how seamless this process can be when it is properly implemented. TNG RFID is a glimpse of how new technology can enhance an experience as mundane as paying tolls, and I’m genuinely excited to see the end product at all toll booths in Malaysia in the future. The only question is, how long will we have to wait?

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About THE AUTHOR

Pang Tun Yau

Pang Tun Yau

A seasoned tech journalist who now focuses on his other passion, Pang is a firm believer in old-school DCA and optimised spending.

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    Janssen Cheah Eu Min

    3 years ago

I am not sure but if my wallet has only rm3 balance left and my credit card is linked to the tng wallet with “Quick Payment” enabled, do i still have to top up before going thru the rfid gate? if the toll is gonna cost me lets say rm8 (balance in wallet rm3). As in tesco or other places where by if i purchase it will auto top up the said purchase price and pay out immediately, will this be the same with rifd if i do not top up first but use the “quick payment credit card” attached
…
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VISA and AKPK bring you Financial Football online game

VISA and AKPK want to teach you more about managing your money. And they would like to do it in a fun way. The result?
Financial Football!

Financial Football is an entertaining interactive footie game where you answer a series of financially-related questions in order to score a goal.

To spice things up a little, the player with the highest score will win a trip for two to catch the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup final in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Other prizes include Sony and Adidas merchandise.

The online game contest is part of a broader campaign by VISA and AKPK to improve financial literacy among Malaysians,
The Star reported.
 It added that Malaysia ranked 10
th
 on VISA’s 2012 Global Financial Literacy Barometer.

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ringgitplus

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eJamin Allows Online Posting Of Bail For Malaysian Courts

Dapat Vista has teamed up with Bank Islam and Bank Muamalat to launch Malaysia’s pioneer digital bail posting solution. Dubbed eJamin, the solution is aimed at simplifying the bail posting process, making it faster and more convenient.

eJamin essentially allows bail posting to be made seamlessly and instantaneously via FPX online banking. This means that bailors no longer need to go through the hassle of travelling between the court and the bank to open a surety account. Instead, they can post bail via their mobile device or desktop, and a process that used to take a lengthy four to five hours can now be accomplished within 30 minutes instead.

“The bailing process can be a long and tedious procedure especially during this stressful period. With this in mind, eJamin provides bailors a convenient and smooth bail payment experience. Developed in compliance with the current judicial legal procedures, this collaboration doubles down on convenience to both bailors and accused,” said the executive director of Dapat Vista, Sabri Rahman. Dapat Vista also developed
MyPay
, an e-government service platform, that was launched last year.

The digital solution runs on a simple and straightforward navigation interface to facilitate ease of use, requiring only a few simple steps to complete the bail process:

Fill in all the required details of the bailor and the accused on the eJamin website.

Check and verify the details with court officers to get the bail amount and the case number.

Once done, make the payment via FPX online banking. Note that the bailor must use his or her own bank account to post bail.

The bailor will receive a confirmation email to indicate that payment has been received, and it needs to be shown to the court officer at the court registry.

The bail money will be refunded to the bailor’s bank account via eJamin once the case is closed.

The
eJamin system
 is currently in use at 8 courts, such as Kuala Lumpur Court Complex, Petaling Jaya Court Complex, and Shah Alam Court Complex. It is estimated that 30% bailors are employing it for their bail payments at these courts. The solution is expected to be introduced at all courts throughout Malaysia by the end of 2020.

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Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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Selangor Government Approves RM1 Million In Digital Coupons For Local Tourism

(Image: Malay Mail)

The Selangor government has approved a total of RM1 million to boost local tourism within the state, said the chairman of the state investment, industry & commerce, and SME committee, Datuk Teng Chang Khim.

Datuk Teng – who is also the assemblyman for Bandar Baru Klang – further clarified that while the funds have been approved, the state government and Tourism Selangor are still in the midst of hashing out the finer details.

That said, Datuk Teng shared that the money will be disbursed to the public via digital coupons so that those travelling can get discounts at selected hotels, restaurants, and tourist spots in Selangor. Additionally, the application and redemption process will also be digitised so as to reduce paperwork and to abide by MCO restrictions to minimise physical interaction.

(Image: The Star)

Malaysia’s tourism industry is now focusing on domestic travellers to boost its recovery, following restrictions on overseas travel due to the global spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the country’s international borders remaining shut for the foreseeable future, several states and organisations – such as
Melaka
 and the
Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Penang Chapter
 – are running promotions to encourage the Malaysian public to visit local tourist hotspots.

(Source:
The Star
)

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Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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Can You Get More Groceries For Your Money By Skipping the Supermarket?

Even though home cooking is typically cheaper than getting fast food or enjoying restaurant takeaways, truly savvy shoppers never give up on finding more ways to save. Yet, being creatures of habit, we tend to shop at the same places again and again, making it easy to miss out on better deals.

It also doesn’t help that good bargains sometimes ‘hide’ in plain sight; in fact, we found three such inconspicuous sources for cheaper groceries.

Minimarts

We usually head to these joints when we’re rushing to buy just one or two items, but your friendly neighbourhood minimart is capable of much, much more.

For starters, minimarts can supply you with some of your favourite foodstuffs for a lot cheaper than your usual supermarket can, don’t believe us? Here are ten common grocery items we found that beats a popular supermarket’s prices by at least 10%:

No

Grocery Item

Minimart Price [RM]

Supermarket Price [RM]

Potential Savings

1

Nestlé Multi Grain Cheerios 2 x 150g

9.39

10.39

10%

2

NutriPlus Omega 3 Medium Eggs 10pcs

4.50

5.19

13%

3

Hero Strawberry Preserve Jam 340g

9.50

12.19

22%

4

Ayam Brand Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce 425g

3.10

3.45

10%

5

Campbell’s Chicken Cream Condensed Soup 300g

4.20

4.89

14%

6

Ribena Blackcurrant 1 Liter

11.99

13.99

14%

7

Nestlé Nestum Original 450g

9.40

11.65

19%

8

Mamee Chef Curry Laksa Cup 3 x 72g

5.99

7.49

20%

9

Lipton Yellow Label Black Tea 25 Tea Bags x 2g

4.20

6.49

35%

10

Capilano Pure & Natural Honey 400g

13.75

16.29

16%

Note: Prices are correct at the time of research and do include promotional pricing for both supermarket and minimarket brands.

For the items compared, we were able to save a total of 17% by shopping at the mini market. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to check on prices for ten commonly purchased grocery items in your household. If you can get them for even 10% to 15% less, then go ahead and make the switch.

Understandably, you might not be able to find everything you need at the minimart and could still require a trip to the supermarket, so be sure to consider ALL COSTS when deciding to divide your shopping list between the two. You wouldn’t want to spend more on petrol, or parking and as well, waste precious time.

Wholesale Wet Markets

Now even though prices differ between wholesale wet markets (pasar borong), they are generally cheaper than supermarkets (and regular wet markets).

This is because most of the fresh produce, meat and fish are generally sold directly by its cultivators (and fishermen) thereby eliminating additional distribution costs. It’s also usually where regular wet-market sellers purchase their stock.

Note that even though it’s called a ‘wholesale’ wet market, it doesn’t mean that you have to buy in bulk, but of course, if you do, you’ll enjoy better savings all around. Thus, it would make more sense for you to opt for wholesale wet markets when you need to buy more groceries than usual (think large family meals, dinner parties and festive cooking).

Online Grocers

While it’s not necessarily cheaper per se, you can certainly get your money’s worth from online grocers that offer free delivery like
youbeli
 and
JustLife Organic
.

What’s more is that you’ll be saving valuable time which might have been otherwise spent getting to your grocer, parking, picking out your provisions and queuing.

Best of all, when lethargy gets the best of your ability to compare between brand prices, online shopping saves the day with just a few mouse-clicks.

Also if you’re not satisfied with the prices you’re seeing, just look for a cheaper option (Malaysia has more than
15 online grocers
) and shop there instead.

To #GetMore value with online grocery buys, try these tips:

Sign up for a loyalty program to enjoy discounts, vouchers and other value-for-money deals.

Be on the lookout for online grocery coupons and promos like the ones found on Dealhero.

Use a cashback credit card to pay for groceries and have some of that money returned to you. Do also check out our comparison page to find the
best cashback credit card
 if you don’t already have one or are looking to switch.

Get Frugal and #GetMore in Return!

Cheapskate is no longer a dirty word; in fact, go ahead and use it with pride because it means you actually understand the true value of money.

It also means that know just how easily little expenses add up over time and by simply making small changes in your spending habits, big savings await.

So don’t worry about appearing tight-fisted with your cash, you’ve worked hard to earn it and you certainly deserve to #GetMore value every time you spend it!

Bargain hunters have to stick together, so if you have any tips on alternative grocers, do share in the comment section below.

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Win a trip to the Mediterranean with RHB credit cards

Don’t let the haze get you down, the Mediterranean is

beckoning. From 20 June till 11 September 2013, RHB credit card and debit card

members have something to look forward to each time they make a purchase, one

of which is a luxury Mediterranean cruise for two with RM10,000 spending money!

The ‘
RHB

Now Exquisite Escape
’ campaign works like a traditional spend-more-to-win

type of competition except that your spending won’t be converted into entries, you

just have to be one of the top spenders to qualify for a prize. This contest is

open to RHB credit card and debit card members who perform the most cumulative

spending from transactions done via internet, mobile and exclusive merchant

deals.

Prizes up for grabs include:

·

Grand

Prize X 2 (for 2 pax each) – Mediterranean Cruise + Pocket Money (RM5k each)

– 1 winner from RHB Debit Card

holders top spender

– 1 winner from RHB Credit Card

holders top spender

·

Monthly

Prize X 3 (for 2 pax each) – Pangkor Laut package

·

Weekly

Winners X 240 (20 winners per week) – RM50 cash back each

– 10 winners from RHB Debit Card

holders top spender (per week)

– 10 winners from RHB Credit Card

holders top spender (per week)

·

Weekly

Top Spender (via Exclusive Deals merchants) X 12 – RM200 Cash Back each

Winners will be selected based on their total spending for a

particular period according to the type of prize. For example the highest

spenders in a week are eligible for the weekly RM50 cashback prize and so on

and so forth. The grand prize winners will be selected based on the highest

cumulative spending throughout the promotion period.

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BigPay Revises Points Earning Rate, Hints At Bill Payments Feature

BigPay has lowered its points earning rate, now offering 1 AirAsia BIG point for every RM30 spent using the BigPay card. The change is effective today 15 October, with an email going out to notify users this morning.

Previously, BigPay users earned
1 BIG Point for every RM10 spent
 on the BigPay card. The new change will see users earning BIG Points at a rate that is three times slower than before.

BigPay justified this as a way for the e-wallet company “to keep things balanced”, as it will soon be rolling out new features such as bill payments that will allow users to earn BIG Points on “more than just card transactions”.

“We are committed to providing our customers with fair and affordable financial services,” the AirAsia-owned company said in its email today. “Your account will continue to be free from any monthly or annual fees. You will also continue to enjoy low fees and competitive rates for international money transfers, beyond what traditional banks could offer.”

BigPay had also announced another change to its e-wallet just last week, when it
reduced its wallet reloads via credit card top-ups
 for the third time this year to just RM1,000 a month.

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Sarawak State Govt Launches Mobile Bank Initiative For Easier Rural Access

(Image: The Star)

The Sarawak state government has launched a mobile bank initiative to provide rural folk in Sarawak with easier access to banking services. The initiative involves four banks in four mobile vehicles, Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), Bank Rakyat, AgroBank, and RHB Bank.

According to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, BSN will serve rural settlements in Sebauh and Sungai Asap; Bank Rakyat in Sebauh, Tatau, Sungai Asap and Belaga; AgroBank in Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Sematan, Lingga, Pantu, Tebedu, Asajaya, and Sebuyau; and RHB Bank in Asajaya, Sadong Jaya, Balingian, Oya, and Igan.

(Image: The Borneo Post)

“This is a new approach for us to address the challenges faced by the rural population in accessing banking services,” said Abang Johari. The state government has allocated RM1.6 million to kickstart the initiative by helping the participating banks to purchase and equip vehicles with ATMs and other mobile banking facilities.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Masing said that the initiative would be a game-changer for rural farmers. “Now they need not go to towns for their banking requirements. These banking facilities are brought right to their doorstep,” he said. “I would like to thank the banking fraternity for their understanding to serve the rural population and the expeditious manner in which they answered the call of Sarawak’s rural needs.”

(Source:
The Star
)

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LHDN, PTPTN Close Operations For Several Services

As a result of the total lockdown or full movement control order (FMCO) announced by the government from 1-14 June, the inland revenue board (LHDN) has closed the operations of some of its customer-facing services. Similarly, all counter services at the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) will be closed during this period.

LHDN has closed its one-stop counters for tax services and government special assistance counters at its branch offices, satellite offices, revenue service centres, and its Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) offices nationwide. Its branch stamp centres (PSCs) will operate under limited hours, subject to the working days in each state and on an appointment-basis only.

LHDN payment counters in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching will open from 8am to 12 noon for taxation matters. However, only customers with low-risk status are allowed to conduct any transactions at LHDN’s PSCs and payment counters as part of its efforts to break the Covid-19 chain. Customers are advised to check the
list of LHDN offices and branches that are temporarily closed
 in order to avoid any inconveniences.

Meanwhile, other tax services will be conducted online. LHDN’s HASiL Care Line is still in operation, but under limited hours from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm; the HASiL Live Chat is available from 9am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays.

As for PTPTN, all counter services at PTPTN offices nationwide will be closed until the full lockdown ends on 14 June. Online services at its
official portal
 will continue for loan applications and repayments, the opening of new accounts, or making additional deposits to the National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) accounts.

The submission period of documents for new PTPTN loan applications will also be extended to 28 June, while those who have been approved for the Ujrah exchange and loan restructuring may mail their relevant documents to PTPTN headquarters by 30 June.

PTPTN’s live chat function on its official portal is also available from 9am to 5pm from Mondays to Fridays, while its complaint channel is open at eaduan.ptptn.gov.my. Besides that, you can contact PTPTN through its official social media or call the careline at 03-2193 3000, from Monday to Friday, 9am until5 pm.

(Source:
The Edge Markets
)

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CIMB Rolls Out Suite Of Financial Solutions To Drive EV Adoption

CIMB Bank and CIMB Islamic Bank have rolled out a suite of financial solutions aimed at driving the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia. Said to be the most comprehensive within the country, this set of EV solutions includes financing, insurance protection, and a range of exclusive privileges – thereby making it easier and more rewarding for customers to own EVs.

In a statement, CIMB stated that one of the key solutions that customers will be able to enjoy is the preferential fixed rate on financing for EVs, currently starting from as low as 1.98% p.a. as an introductory offer (set to run until 30 April 2024). It also provides up to 90% margin of financing, with a repayment period of up to 9 years, as well as expedited approvals (within 8 hours).

Aside from financing-related perks, CIMB has also partnered with Berjaya Sompo Insurance Bhd to introduce first-in-market complimentary EV benefits for motor insurance. Provided specially for those who purchase the Secure Motor insurance with Berjaya Sompo through CIMB Auto Finance Centres, you can enjoy a 5% discount on the premium rates for EVs, and 10% cash rebate on premiums. This offer is applicable to both new and used EVs of up to eight years old.

In addition to that, CIMB and Berjaya Sompo will also provide CIMB EV owners with a complimentary EV pack coverage that offers additional protection and benefits, including:

RM15,000 EV home wall charger coverage in the event of accidents (fire, theft, lightning, explosions, and flooding)

RM50,000 personal liability coverage on accidents while using EV chargers

Unlimited towing to nearest EV charging stations

RM100,000 personal accident

To further sweeten the deal, CIMB is offering free Touch ‘n Go (TNG) RFID tags as part of its sign-up benefits as well, for those who do take up EV financing with the bank. Furthermore, CIMB customers can enjoy 0% flexi payment plans of 12 months when they purchase an EV home wall charger from car dealers using selected CIMB credit cards.

“We are pleased to offer the most comprehensive suite of EV financial solutions in the market today. Through this market leading offering, we are able to deliver greater value by making the customer’s EV ownership journey accessible, convenient, and even more rewarding. We will continue to offer innovative sustainable finance solutions that encourage Malaysians to consider a more sustainable lifestyle, as we work together towards achieving the country’s Net Zero ambitions,” said the chief executive officer (group consumer and digital banking) of CIMB Group, Effendy Shahul Hamid.

To further contribute to this green movement, CIMB said it has also recently installed its first EV charging stations at its Preferred branch at Plaza Damansara. There are plans to add more of such stations at other locations.

Aside from these latest financial offerings for EVs, CIMB had also launched a
full suite of sustainable living home solutions
 just last month to encourage the adoption of low-carbon lifestyle. It includes offerings such as preferential rates for green home financing, solar panel financing, and deals on energy-efficient appliances.

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About THE AUTHOR

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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Clever Mid-Year Sales Shopping Tips That Will Save You Money

It’s the middle of the year and plenty of shopping outlets everywhere are slashing their prices to get you to shop more. Which means exciting times ahead for all you shopaholics out there!

But just because the prices are now lower, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be careful with your shopping. Here are some shopping strategies you can use to maximise your savings during this mid-year sale season.

Have a Plan

It’s tempting to just run past the automatic doors of your nearest mall and grab anything with a large discount sign above it, but hold your horses. Take a deep breath, put your wallet away for a while and sit down to plan out your strategy.

Knowing where to shop and when is of key importance. For example, it’s good to be aware that the Malaysian Tourism Board has organised
a countrywide sale called the 1Malaysia Mega Sale
 happening from 15 June to 31 August this year. Find out the participating outlets and seek out their discounts of up to 70% to really make use of this sales period. This way, you avoid falling prey to impulse buys and can stay on top of your shopping budget.

Know What Fits Your Home

Home appliances and furniture stores offer some of the best mid-year discounts so it’s smart to try and take advantage of them. However, before you even think of looking for a new microwave or coffee table, make sure you know if these items fit into your house in the first place.

An easy way to do this is to use a measuring tape and measure out the dimensions of your existing furniture and appliances and mark down the ‘safe’ measurements right on the tape. Bring the tape along when you’re buying your new stuff so you can know for sure if they fit in your house. Doing this quick exercise will definitely save you from the hassle of returning or refunding a heavy item in future.

Another thing to remember when buying appliances and furniture is that you can further knock down the expenses for these items by using your credit card’s
0% Easy Payment Plan
. Break down the payments into smaller, more manageable ones so you get to use the rest of your cash on all the other items being discounted this season.

Don’t Neglect Savings on Older Items

While it’s less likely that you will see heavy discounts on the latest and greatest products, that doesn’t mean you should neglect the older models of goods that have received generous discounts. Consider doing some research on older models of appliances, furniture, or gadgets that serve the same purpose or function as the newer models.

As long as they are still well-reviewed, can last a long time, and functions just as well as the latest models, then you should go for them since they’d be highly discounted. Besides, if it’s the first time you’ve ever owned something, then it’s new to you!

When shopping for these items, remember to also use your credit card that comes with
purchase protection
. This way, you won’t hurt your bank balance too much should your shiny new inexpensive purchase gets accidentally damaged or stolen. Do take note of the terms and conditions of the purchase protection, of course.

Do Your Gift Shopping Around This Time Too

Have you figured out what to get for this year’s Christmas gifts and birthdays? No? Well, you should. If you know your friends and family well and have an idea of what to get them, what better time to do so than during the mid-year sales season?

Make sure to list these items down along with what you want to buy for yourself so you don’t forget. This way you don’t have to endure the mad rush of people hurrying to get their last-minute gifts.

Being aware of the shopping seasons is also important for getting savings on top of your savings. For example, using sites like
shopback.my
, you can get cashback on top of your already discounted items. However, keep in mind that online mid-year sales dates may not line up with the dates for physical retail outlets’.

Avoid Big Crowds By Shopping on Weekday Mornings

Take a day off in the middle of the week and go in the morning to make sure you beat out the competition when it comes to shopping for these kinda stuff. That day off is gonna be worth it, especially if you wanna buy a lot of stuff which you should with all the attractive discounts everywhere.

Since you’re already making a list of items, doing your research, and measuring out your house in preparation for your shopping trip, you might as well take an entire work day off to get it done. Weekday mornings are less congested than weekends so you not only get to avoid the crowd, you also get to spend more time thinking and comparing items.

Taking a day off this way also means you won’t have to battle traffic, the salespeople can be more attentive to you since they don’t have to deal with too many customers, and you get the other facilities of the mall or shopping area pretty much to yourself. Driving around between shopping destinations can also be made much cheaper if you use a
petrol credit card
 that rewards you with cash back or points each time you refuel. Double savings!

Use Your Credit Card Points Instead of Cash

Most credit cards allow you to earn rewards points when you spend, which you can then convert into merchandise through their catalogues.

One bank of notable mention here in Malaysia is Citibank, who recently announced a tie-up with Amazon, one of the largest shopping websites in the world. Through their revamp of the entire Citi Rewards programme (now called the Citi ThankYou Rewards programme), you can choose to pay a portion of the purchase in credit, and the remaining portion with points. This means you can pay less when buying an item that you really want.

Citibank even allows you to pay for items with points at physical partner stores, or reduce your credit card bill by allowing you to use your points to pay for purchases you had made with your selected credit cards up to 60 days.

If you want to find out more about their Citi ThankYou Rewards programme, visit
Citibank’s official website
.

With these tips on hand, we hope you’ll be spending your money in the best way and get the best deals on offer. Good luck out here!

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5 Reasons To Consider The Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain

When shopping for a new car, the pickup truck category tends to get pushed to the back burner and instead, SUVs, sedans, and hatchbacks get all the attention. Japanese carmaker Isuzu’s new flagship model, the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain carves a unique experience that’s unlike the rough, utilitarian one we often associate with pickup trucks.

What makes this model special? We’ve listed five reasons that make the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain a worthy contender for your next car purchase.

1. Design: Premium On The Inside, Commanding On The Road

For many of us who prioritise look and feel above all else, the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain will most likely have a lasting impression as the interior exudes a premium feel that surpasses many others within its class. Imagine returning to your beloved car after a long day at work, being greeted by plush combination leather seats and a soft-touch leather dashboard, with sleek finishes all around. Not only that, but you’ll also be spoiled with the 8-way Power Adjust seat, complete with lumbar support for your long drives.

The Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain comes in two colours:
Valencia Orange
 for those who prefer something more vibrant, youthful, and energetic; and
Sapphire Blue
for those who wish to remain subtle with a classic feel. The exterior’s pairing of a dark grey gaping grille and ‘fangs” radiates an assertive, alpha energy that if you catch a glimpse of this approaching you from your rearview mirror, there’s a chance you’d want to shift to the left lane.

2. Performance: Impressive No Matter The Terrain

If power is what excites you, the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain comes equipped with the advanced 3.0 litre Blue Power turbo diesel engine that packs an impressive 190PS, 450Nm of torque, with a flat torque at 1,600 – 2,600 rpm. So whether you choose to simply cruise or want to put the car’s performance to the test, rest assured that the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain’s Blue Powered engine is designed in a way that encourages better fuel efficiency. Plus, the 6-speed automatic transmission means your driving experience will most likely be smooth and more enjoyable.

As for rougher terrains, the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain is fitted with Terrain Command which enables drivers to switch between 2WD, 4WD-high and 4WD-low modes in less than a second, making navigating between regular pavements, wet roads, and off-road all the more seamless. The rear differential lock also provides strong traction for safe exploration. The steel under-body protects the vital components of your Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain, promising satisfying adventures no matter where you are. On top of that, it boasts a wading depth of 800mm, which means you could confidently brave a flood if you’ve unfortunately been caught in one.

3. Safety Features:

Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)
& More

Safety plays a critical role when deciding on a car to purchase. Buyers can have faith in the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain as it has actually garnered a 5-star ASEAN NCAP (New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries) rating based on a safety assessment of its Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, and Safety Assist Technologies.

The Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain comes equipped with ample safety features thanks to its Advanced Driver Assistance System including Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Turn Assist, AT Pedal Misapplication Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Lane Departure Warning, Automatic High Beams, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Additional features include a Manual Speed Limiter which allows you to set a maximum speed so the driving speed maintains within that limit, as well as a Multi Collision Brake, which can mitigate the subsequent impact in the event of a collision.

Along with that, the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain comes with 7 SRS airbags to safeguard the safety of the driver and passengers. Drivers will also be able to enjoy Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control System, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Emergency Stop Signal, Front & Rear Parking Sensor, and a Reverse Camera.

4. Future-Ready Technology

The Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain is fitted with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports major mobile OSs with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Whether the roads are clear ahead or you’ve found yourself amidst rush hour traffic, being in the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain promises a pleasing, immersive auditory experience with its 8-speaker live surround sound. Besides that, the components that the driver has most direct engagement with are also done tastefully – the e-LUMAX with Colour Display MID together with the leather gear knob with indicator illumination makes for a vivid, modern pairing. The rearview mirror has auto-dimming to prevent drivers from being startled by uncomfortably bright lights.

The car also has “Follow Me Home” lights, a feature that keeps the headlights low beam and park lights turned on for 30 seconds after the ignition has been switched off. On top of that, the Passive Entry & Start System allows remote engine start, a feature that not many others within this segment offer! This means you can simply heat up the engine without first getting into the car.

5. Built To Last

Besides all the fancy features and the experience of actually driving the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain, how does its after-sale service compare, you may wonder. Buyers would be glad to know that the pick-up truck comes with
7 YEARS UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY
. It definitely helps alleviate some of the concerns new car owners may have, especially for those that plan to take their Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain for some long-distance adventures.

***

All in all, the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain makes a great car that offers a premium experience yet maintains all the capabilities of a fully-capable pickup truck. Personally, I love the brown leather seats, dashboard, and armrest with contrast stitching. It’s reminiscent of a specific luxury Parisian fashion house. Though physical buttons have their own advantage, the 9-inch infotainment system is certainly large enough to navigate with ease without the need for mounting your mobile phones and such, especially with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto built-in. Plus, the 8-speaker live surround sound would ease the suffering of being stuck in traffic.

The Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain is packed with safety features, giving me peace of mind knowing that the car has enough brains to tell me where potential danger may be and what to look out for. The 6-speed automatic transmission is also more than what I’d personally need, which is great because surely those who have an appetite for more power would enjoy it. The Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain also deserves some extra points for the 7 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty.

Its overall premium experience of lush interior, impressive performance, and abundant features indicate that the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain has outgrown the construction workhorse trope. The flagship model is set to appease the likes of business professionals, adventurers, and those who simply enjoy a comfortable driving experience.

Interested in the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain?
Visit the website
 to find out more.

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About THE AUTHOR

Lisa Ameera Azman

Lisa Ameera Azman

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Prime Minister Concerned That B40 May Have Expanded Into B50

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has expressed concern that the B40 income group may have now expanded to become the B50 category, following the negative economic impact brought on by Covid-19.

“A major concern during our battle against the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic is the vulnerable B40 group that is most affected, which in my opinion, may have become B50. Many of those who used to belong to the M40 group have fallen into some form of poverty. This is a very serious matter,” said the prime minister during a townhall session in Sabah.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin also noted that the government will work to address this matter, on top of addressing the issue of poverty in general within Malaysia.

For context, Malaysians are generally categorised into three different income groups, namely the Top 20% (T20), Middle 40% (M40), and Bottom 40% (B40). Following the publication of the
Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey 2019
 from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), these income groups were further broken down into another 10 sub-categories for better classification.

On the matter of Malaysia’s increasing poverty, several ministers have already previously cautioned of a problem of misclassification, where individuals officially classified under the M40 group may actually belong among the poor. These ministers include Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin, who proposed that the
B40, M40, and T20 classification may no longer be suitable in the current landscape
 “because the B40 may have increased to be B50, and the M40 will have decreased to be M30.”

(Source:
KiniTV
)

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About THE AUTHOR

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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PM: EPF Members Lack Sufficient Savings For Another Round Of Special Withdrawals

(Image: The Malaysian Reserve)

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has commented that the government will need to deliberate on the immediate predicament of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributors, and their future survival before deciding if another round of special withdrawals should be allowed. This is as many contributors already have limited EPF savings as of now for their retirement.

“Too little… I’ve checked the amount of savings and for a majority of contributors, it is too small, and I am very concerned about their future,” said Datuk Seri Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister. He added that allowing another round of withdrawals will jeopardise the future of these contributors.

As such, Datuk Seri Anwar said that it would be better for the government to keep looking for other alternatives to assist these individuals in need instead. However, he did not share examples of such options as of yet.

(Image: Bernama)

Datuk Seri Anwar’s comment was made in response to recent calls by several groups that urged the government to consider allowing another round of one-off EPF withdrawals. These included Pertubuhan Aktivis Rakyat Malaysia (ProRakyat), which
submitted a memorandum
 to the government to approve another round of EPF special withdrawals of up to RM30,000.

Prior to this, the government had already rolled out a total of four EPF special withdrawal facilities to assist individuals who struggled financially during the Covid-19 pandemic, namely the
i-Lestari
,
i-Sinar
,
i-Citra
, and a final
RM10,000 withdrawal
. However, this caused the EPF savings of many contributors to dip to worrying levels.

Specifically, it was revealed that as of June 2022, 52% of the total 12.78 million EPF members aged under 55 had
savings of less than RM10,000
. Meanwhile, the cumulative impact of these programmes on members’ savings is estimated at RM155 billion.

(Source:
The Edge Markets
,
New Straits Times
)

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About THE AUTHOR

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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    James Wong

    7 months ago

Yes, it will be burdensome for EPF to liquidised 100s of RM billions for general withdrawal under ProRakyat. However, Govt may consider seriously to help the smaller grouping of targeted (bersasar) who are in dire (teruk) situation under PGIR. May DSAI, at least, under his executive premiership’s first kwsp withdrawal, give a priority helping hand to this smaller group of truly needy citizens.

I am James.

#kwspbersasar

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Affin Bank Revises Monthly Cashback Cap For Affin Duo Visa Cash Back Card

Affin Bank has announced that it is revising the benefits of its Affin Duo Visa Cash Back credit card, with the maximum monthly cashback that can be earned through the card set to be reduced. This revision is slated to take effect starting from 12 March 2023.

In the announcement, Affin Bank explained that the Affin Duo Visa Cash Back card – which is one half of the Affin Duo pair cards – will continue to offer 3% cashback on e-commerce/online, e-wallet, and auto-billing transactions. However, its existing
cashback cap of RM50 and RM80 per month
 (offered depending on whether your previous balance has hit RM3,000 or more) will soon be reduced to RM50 or RM30 per month.

Here’s a table to help you better compare the existing and updated benefits for the Affin Duo Visa Cash Back card:

Affin Duo Visa Cash Back benefits
Current cashback cap
New cashback cap (12 March 2023 onwards)
3% cashback for the following transactions:
– Commerce/online
– E-wallet
– Auto-billing
– RM80 for cardmembers with previous balance of RM3,000 and above
– RM50 for cardmembers with previous balance of less than RM3,000
– RM50 for cardmembers with previous balance of RM3,000 and above
– RM30 for cardmembers with previous balance of less than RM3,000

In addition to that, the sub-limit for e-wallet transactions will also be adjusted to RM30 come 12 March. Prior to this, this
e-wallet cashback cap was set at RM50
, introduced in a revision back in August 2022.

With this latest update, the Affin Duo Visa Cash Back card will also see its effective cashback rate reduced. Here are how the previous and new effective cashback rate for the card compare:

Outstanding balance
Official cashback rate
Existing effective cashback rate
New effective cashback rate (12 March 2023 onwards)
Below RM3,000
3%
Between 1.67% and 3%
Between 1% and 3%
RM3,000 and above
3%
2.67% and below
1.67% and below

In short, you can only earn the full 3% cashback rate for expenses up to RM1,000; any spending made on the card after that will only lower your effective cashback rate. Other features for the Affin Duo Visa Cash Back card, meanwhile, will remain unchanged. Its minimum annual income requirement is still set at RM24,000, while the annual fee remains at RM75 per year (waived for first three years, and with minimum 12 swipes in subsequent years).

As for the Mastercard half of the Affin Duo pair card, no changes are made at all to the Affin Duo Mastercard Rewards card. It will continue to provide 3x AFFIN Rewards Points for dining, grocery, and petrol expenses (unlimited).

Aside from announcing the upcoming revision, Affin Bank also revealed that the Affin Duo cards will soon be available as
shariah
-compliant cards as well. Interested individuals can apply for the Affin Duo Visa Cash Back card-i and Affin Duo Mastercard Rewards card-i starting from 1 March 2023. The Affin Duo Visa Cash Back card-i will follow the new cashback tiers described above.

(Source:
Affin Bank
)

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Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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    Jeffrey

    6 months ago

Thanks info. Great idea

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    Lau

    6 months ago

Thanks for the info

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    Foong

    6 months ago

Thanks for sharing the info. Sound like gonna capped at RM1,000 spending per month on e-wallets.

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    Muhammad Zakwan bin Rosmiza

    6 months ago

Ya

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    weoilun

    6 months ago

thank for info…

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The Simple Step Programme to Stop Buying Stuff You Don't Need

When you look at this title you’re probably thinking about those impulse buying sessions that may happen every time a sale comes by (say every three months). But curbing the “buying stuff I don’t need” habit is more than just ending the shopping binges.

It’s the extra candy bar you could have done without; the cute mason jar you have absolutely no use for (but is just RM5!); or maybe the pack of toe socks that happened to be on sale at a pop-up kiosk on the ground floor of your office building.

These spends don’t look like much but when you add them all together and team them up with those big retail therapy sessions – you end up with an empty wallet and a home full of clutter.

This writer is no stranger to this ‘curse’ and though it’s an everyday struggle – here are a few steps you can take to keep the attack of the spending urges in check.

Get a Partner/Friend to Help

Kicking the habit to spend is a struggle to do on your own but a friend or partner could help by being that voice of reason you need when you’re tempted to unnecessarily part with your money.

They don’t even have to be overbearing. A little reminder is enough. You’ll be surprised how effective a simple question such as “Do you really need that?” can be to in making you to put. that. purse. down.

Limit the Money You Carry Around

If you work in a mall or building with a lot of shops nearby, having ample money when you go out to lunch will be the ultimate temptation. Leave your wallet in your locker or locked in your car and only take RM10-20 out with you as lunch money.

How much you take will depend on the price of food in your office area. Take just enough for food and drink. Without extra money, you’d have to go through a lot of effort to buy other stuff during lunch and hopefully the effort required will deter you.

This same concept can apply when going out shopping. Bring just enough money for the things you budgeted for and then you will be forced to stick to your shopping list!

Ask Yourself the Difficult Questions

Having a friend (first point above) remind you about your (non-)spending goals is a good way to stop buying but your friend or partner can’t be with you all the time!

When they are not around – you will need to ask yourself the difficult questions.

Do I really need this?

Do I really want it or will it lie in a cupboard or drawer unused for the rest of my days?

How many similar items have I found useful?

Can I afford this in light of my other payables?

By the end of this self-interview you’d either have talked yourself out of the purchase or bored yourself hopefully to the point where you don’t want to buy anything anymore. Hey, whatever works!

Carry a ‘Reminder’ of Your Sordid Spending Sins

Did you find you had to throw out a tonne of expired food; donate clothes with tags still on or stumble on a bag of knick-knacks you forgot you ever purchased recently? Take a photo – the impression lasts longer.

Keep the photo tacked onto your wallet so the moment you open up to pay for yet another thing you don’t need – you’ll find yourself face to face with your past spending sins.

Alternatively, you could find a small item you purchased for absolutely no good reason and carry that with you to not only be a bit of an embarrassment to you by bulking your pockets or pocketbook but to also remind you of what you
shouldn’t
 be doing with your money.

If At First You Don’t Succeed…

If you’re an impulsive spender, nothing could be more difficult than breaking the habit.

People who don’t have such inclinations may find it difficult to understand why it’s so hard for some to just not buy stuff but the truth is, it really is a struggle for some people more than others.

We understand, really. But the important thing isn’t about being perfect – it’s about trying and then trying some more. As they say, if at first you don’t succeed…

We hope these tips help you make that journey away from spending addictions just a little easier but if you’re at the point where you aren’t even sure if you have a problem – check out our previous article on
how to identify if you have a spending addiction
.

Do you have any tips to share? Let us know in the comments.

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Diana Chai

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Budget 2022 Sees Another Extension Of SST Exemption For New Vehicles

(Image: Bernama)

The government has announced that the sales tax exemption (SST) for new vehicles has been given another extension through to 30 June 2022.

The SST exemption was
first announced in June 2020
, which came as part of the PENJANA stimulus package to stimulate the economy after the first Movement Control Order (MCO) in March 2020. The SST exemption was originally scheduled to end on 31 December 2020 before it was extended to 30 June 2021, and again to 31 December 2021.

The percentage of the SST exemption remains unchanged with 100 percent exemption for locally-assembled (CKD) cars and 50 percent for fully-imported (CBU) cars.

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Sheu Quen

Sheu Quen

Content writer with a penchant for perfection in her work and can't stand having her name misspelled or mispronounced.

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Bank Promo Codes For More Savings During Lazada, Shopee 8.8 Sale 2023

Lazada’s 8.8 Meriah Bersama Sale and Shopee’s 8.8 Fashion & Beauty Markdown Madness Sale will be happening in a few hours from now, and if you’ve got a list of items ready to purchase, then you’re bound to be excited.  With plenty of discounts and promo codes, free shipping vouchers, as well as flash deals and special events, this is a good time for you to stock up on essentials for the month or if you want to purchase big-ticket items.

While these are great, seasoned online shoppers will know that there are also bank partner vouchers that they can collect to help them gain extra savings as they shop, so here’s a list of the various bank vouchers that you can redeem for Lazada’s and Shopee’s upcoming sale event – compiled for your convenience. Don’t forget to collect them!

Lazada 8.8 Meriah Bersama Sale Bank Vouchers

Lazada’s bank promo codes and vouchers is only released after its event starts at midnight, so you’ll have to claim these vouchers quickly before you start shopping. Unfortunately, these vouchers have now been converted to first come, first served instead of how it used to be in the past – so you no longer can use at anytime after you’ve claimed it.

Here are the bank vouchers – with up to RM50 discount – that you can claim for this round of sale:

Alliance Bank

Promo code:
ALB15LZD
Discount: RM15 off with RM150 minimum spend
Quantity: 200 redemptions (collect from midnight 8 August, may replenish at different times of the day)

Promo code:
ALB50LZD
Discount: RM50 off with RM500 minimum spend
Quantity: 150 redemptions (collect from midnight 8 August, may replenish at different times of the day)

Bank Simpanan Nasional

Promo code:
BSNLZD88
Discount: RM20 off with RM150 minimum spend
Quantity: 100 redemptions (collect from midnight 8 August, may replenish at different times of the day)

CIMB Bank

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM15 off with RM200 minimum spend
Quantity: 500 redemptions (collect from midnight 8 August, may replenish at different times of the day)

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM50 off with RM580 minimum spend
Quantity: 100 redemptions (collect from midnight 8 August, may replenish at different times of the day)

Mastercard

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM8 off with RM120 minimum spend
Quantity: N/A

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM25 off with RM300 minimum spend
Quantity: N/A

Maybank

Promo code:
AMEXLZD88
Discount: RM15 off with RM130 minimum spend
Quantity: 688 redemptions (collect from midnight 8 August, may replenish at different times of the day)

UOB Bank

Promo code:
Collect here
 (for Lazada UOB card only)
Discount: RM8 off with RM45 minimum spend
Quantity: N/A

Aside from the bank partner vouchers, remember to also collect
seller and cashback vouchers
,
Lazada Bonus
, and
free shipping vouchers
 from the e-commerce platform! Frequent shoppers will know that Lazada lets you stack numerous seller, platform, and payment vouchers in a single order – including Lazada Bonus, free shipping vouchers, bank/payment vouchers,
Everyday Cashback vouchers
, and store vouchers. There are even LazCoins that you can use with selected sellers!

That said, note that there are now rules as to which bonuses and vouchers that you can use together in a single payment – introduced by Lazada back in May 2023 – so here’s a quick
guide that you can refer to
. Be sure to check before making payments on your purchase orders!

Shopee 8.8 Fashion & Beauty Markdown Madness Sale Bank Vouchers

Shopee’s bank partner vouchers, meanwhile, are already available to be claimed now, but note that this doesn’t come with a guarantee that you’ll definitely get to enjoy the discounts – unlike with Lazada – because Shopee has a different redemption mechanics!

More on this later; for now, go ahead and claim these bank vouchers – with up to RM175 discount – for the upcoming sale event (applicable only on 8 August):

Alliance Bank

Promo code:
ABMB15B
Discount: RM15 off with RM150 minimum spend
Quantity: 150 redemptions

Promo code:
ABMB50B
Discount: RM 50 off with RM500 minimum spend
Quantity: 80 redemptions

Bank Islam

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM20 off with RM170 minimum spend
Quantity: N/A

Bank Simpanan Nasional

Promo code:
BSN88
Discount: RM30 off with RM250 minimum spend
Quantity: 100 redemptions

CIMB Bank

Promo code:
CIMB18
Discount: RM18 off with RM150 minimum spend
Quantity: 250 redemptions

Promo code:
CIMBEP50
Discount: RM50 off with RM500 minimum spend (via CIMB 0% Easy Pay)
Quantity: 200 redemptions

Maybank

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM15 off with RM120 minimum spend (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX credit cards)
Quantity: 1,100 redemptions

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM18 off with RM120 minimum spend (AMEX credit cards)
Quantity: 380 redemptions

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM20 off with RM120 minimum spend (for Maybank Shopee Visa Platinum credit card only)
Quantity: 380 redemptions

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM125 off with RM2,500 minimum spend (credit card instalment only)
Quantity: N/A

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM175 off with RM3,500 minimum spend (credit card instalment only)
Quantity: N/A

RHB Bank

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM18 off with RM150 minimum spend
Quantity: N/A

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM60 off with RM500 minimum spend
Quantity: N/A

Visa

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM50 off with RM500 minimum spend
Quantity: N/A

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM70 off with RM700 minimum spend
Quantity: N/A

Promo code:
Collect here
Discount: RM100 off with RM1,000 minimum spend
Quantity: N/A

In addition to these bank vouchers, don’t forget to also claim the
enhanced Shopee Coins cashback vouchers (up to 25% cashback)
 released specifically for this round of sale event. There are also
special 88% discount vouchers
 that are available just for fashion and beauty items, as well as
category discount vouchers
. Let’s not forget the usual
10% instant rebate vouchers
 and
free shipping vouchers
 too.

In terms of voucher stacking, you are only allowed to apply a shop voucher and a discount/platform voucher OR free shipping voucher in one purchase order. As such, you should be discerning when selecting the vouchers that you’d like to stack.

***

Lastly, one final tip: remember to use your cashback credit cards when shopping. With careful voucher selection and stacking, the vouchers that are available on Shopee and Lazada will already have given you quite a bit of rebates, so any extra cashback earned through your cards is an added bonus! Here’s our list of
best cashback credit cards for online shopping
 if you’re not sure which cards to use.

Here’s to another happy shopping experience to you on 8 August!

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About THE AUTHOR

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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U Mobile GoPayz e-Wallet Expected To Launch In July: Here’s What It Can Do

U Mobile will be the latest company to launch an e-wallet. Expected to be available sometime next month, U Mobile GoPayz aims to leverage on its existing platform and partnerships to be an “ecosystem player” – where GoPayz lives at the heart of it.

At a briefing with the media yesterday, U Mobile stressed that GoPayz isn’t just “another e-wallet app”, but rather an enabler into a larger ecosystem of services. GoPayz will not only support the usual e-wallet services, its merchant app GoBiz will unlock a whole suite of payment acceptance options at minimal cost, thus enabling even the smallest of retailers to accept digital payments (including credit cards).

At the GoPayz and GoBiz showcase at the ongoing Malaysia Tech Week, we had an extended look at the GoPayz app and its offerings. Note that the app is still not in its final state, so the app may look slightly different when it launches next month.

GoPayz e-wallet features

Thanks to its partnership with RazerPay, GoPayz
is accepted at all merchants that accept RazerPay – immediately unlocking close to 10,000 payment points across Malaysia
 (
edit:
the interoperability agreement is not expected to be finalised when GoPayz is launched. GoPayz will leverage the huge merchant base that supports Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay). In addition, GoPayz offers virtual and optional physical prepaid cards with a choice of Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay variants, allowing it to be used overseas like
AirAsia’s BigPay
 and the multi-currency
Merchantrade Money
 prepaid cards.

The UnionPay prepaid card option is an interesting one, which means GoPayz may be used extensively in China. As for foreign exchange rates, GoPayz will follow the rates set by Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay (whichever is used by the user), with zero extra fees.

Interestingly, GoPayz users can actually own all three physical prepaid cards if they so wished. However, each physical card must be applied individually via the GoPayz app, and has an estimated price of RM20 per card.

As for the e-wallet itself, it’s got a large RM5,000 wallet limit granted by Bank Negara Malaysia, which is one of the largest around (BigPay still retains the largest wallet size at RM10,000). Payment is made via QR codes and the virtual and physical cards. There’s also the usual peer-to-peer payments feature, and other services such as bill payments. Unlike most e-wallets, GoPayz can only be topped up via online banking (FPX) and debit cards – you cannot use a credit card to top up GoPayz. This is due to the existence of the physical prepaid card that can potentially be abused by some users, according to Albert Loo, head of digital financial services at U Mobile.

Speaking of which, funds in the GoPayz wallet can be withdrawn using the prepaid card at any local ATM at a charge of RM1, and overseas ATMs for RM10 (subject to additional charges by the local bank).

Transactions made with GoPayz earns GoPointz loyalty points, which naturally can be used to redeem additional rewards. U Mobile says users may also receive “surprise rewards” for qualifying transactions.

GoPayz Ecosystem

Like other e-wallet players, the payments feature is just one small aspect – the goal is to turn each e-wallet to a “super app”, allowing you to do basically everything within it. For GoPayz, U Mobile leveraged existing partnerships and forged new ones to make it a comprehensive offering.

For starters, it has an existing partnership with insurance company, Sun Life, to offer
two micro life insurance policies
 that start from as low as RM5 a month. It is also partnering with Chubb Insurance to offer general insurance policies directly on GoPayz.

And of course, U Mobile also signed
an MoU with Razer
 back in March for an interoperability agreement to allow GoPayz to be accepted at RazerPay merchants.

Recently, U Mobile also inked an
exclusive partnership with iFAST Capital
, which owns the popular
FSMOne

(formerly Fundsupermart) online investment platform. This deal allows GoPayz users to easily purchase unit trusts offered by FSMOne, and will go live sometime in Q3 this year.

Finally, there’s also a partnership in place with
MaxMoney
, a currency exchange company. This allows GoPayz users to exchange currencies online at competitive rates without ever having to queue up at the money changer. Users can cut the queue and pick up their converted currencies at MaxMoney outlets. For a fee, MaxMoney’s ExpressDelivery feature allows users to get their converted currencies within 3 hours – and they even deliver to KLIA and KLIA2.

GoBiz – for all businesses, tiny or large

At the other end, there’s GoBiz, the digital payment acceptance platform for businesses. U Mobile claims that GoBiz will benefit all businesses, regardless of size, enabling all to accept digital and cashless payments at minimal cost.

According to U Mobile, GoBiz applications can be approved within 3 working days, and with customised solutions based on the size and scale of their business. And, thanks to its partnership with Mastercard, Visa, and UnionPay, GoBiz users have the flexibility to accept payments from both local and international users.

Finally, GoBiz merchants could also opt for additional revenue-generating services such as telco prepaid top ups, bill payments, and even game points which can all be done within the GoBiz platform.

Ecosystem play

U Mobile has done plenty of work to establish key partnerships for an e-wallet that hasn’t even been launched yet. It’s clearly done a lot of research on existing e-wallets, identifying and plugging the gaps with its own GoPayz and GoBiz.

Its relationships with key partners certainly add value to GoPayz end users, though some may argue that other e-wallets are also doing the same. Ultimately the success of the ecosystem hinges on user acquisition and retention, which given the amount of e-wallets in Malaysia, will be no easy feat.

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About THE AUTHOR

Pang Tun Yau

Pang Tun Yau

A seasoned tech journalist who now focuses on his other passion, Pang is a firm believer in old-school DCA and optimised spending.

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Face your Money Fears this Halloween

Gone are the days when you feared the monsters under your

bed,
Pontianak
 at

your window or
hantu pocong
 (hopping

corpse ghost prevalent in Malay and Indonesian culture) in the cupboard. Today,

there are more scary sights. Like the credit card bill after a carefree

weekend; your first child’s college tuition fee or the prices of houses in the

Klang Valley. There may be nothing gory or creepy about a bank officer but we’re

sure a phone call from him could make a grown man’s blood run cold.

Money fears can be some of the most crippling things an

adult experiences in life but just like the ghostly fears of your childhood

days, financial scares can be controlled through a little understanding and lot

of facing up to facts.

What is your biggest money fear?

The first step to facing a fear is knowing exactly what it

is. Ask yourself what it is about money you fear the most. Is it the credit

card bills you know are mounting but you’re hoping that if you don’t look at

the cold, hard numbers; you’re safe? Or maybe you have been ‘stealing’ from

your retirement pot and now are afraid to think of how little you actually

have.

Whichever your fear, figure it out and make a conscious decision

to deal with it.

Face it

Now that you know what it is you fear most about your

financial situation; face it. Open that latest bill; retirement account or

invoice from your child’s college. Rope in a spouse, trusted family member or

friend to sit with you if you think that will help. Sometimes, a neutral third

party will be able to put fears into perspective. The problem may not be as

large as you’ve made it out to be in your head.

Together with your trusted companion, face that fear.

Devise a plan

Facing the fear is only one part of the ridding process. It’s

pointless to then continue going on as if nothing had happened. “Yay, I looked

at my bill/invoice/account. Now let’s get on with life!”

Not so fast!

Fears that aren’t properly dealt with; just like a badly

exorcised haunting; will come back to give you 360 degree head turns much like
the Exorcist
.

If it is your credit card; call your bank to see if they can

work out an instalment payment plan which will reduce your interest or opt for

a
balance transfer
.

If it is the lack of retirement fund or just extra cash for an emergency; look

for ways to cut back in your budget, earn overtime hours or apply for

financing. There are always alternatives. If you feel this is much more than

you can handle; call in the professionals. For those in real debt trouble;
AKPK
 can help. If it’s still manageable;

call in a personal financial planner. For a small fee, the planner will look at

your entire situation and come up with the best plan to meet your short term

and long term goals.

Don’t fall off the wagon

Once you have a plan, you will have to make the effort to

commit to it. Having a nice budget on an excel sheet isn’t going to help. Put

the plan in motion and follow through. Even at the ¼ mark of the initiative,

you’ll find yourself much more confident that you will be able to see this through

the very end.

Financial fears are no different from any other fear in

life. For most of us; we fear things we don’t understand or believe we aren’t

in control of. Sometimes, there will be events you cannot help, such as a

medical emergency – the proverbial spanner in the works – but even when we

cannot control life and its events; we can always control how we react to it.

Once you’ve got a handle on your money fears, you can safely

watch it dissolve just like your childhood fears did with the purchase of a

night light or when you were old enough to see the apparition was nothing more

than a hanging coat.

Good luck and happy Hallowe’en!

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Diana Chai

Diana Chai

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Focus on Today by Safeguarding Your Health and Wealth Expansion of Tomorrow

You hear people talk about being financially stable and financially free, but working a day-to-day job and not to mention the never ending list of commitments that keep growing from year to year can sometimes make the idea of having a solid bank account sound like a myth.

Take a moment and look into the future, we can comfortably assume that medical costs will go up in years to come, along with everyday expenses. As we age, our responsibilities get bigger. We go to school, get a job, get married, have children, send them to college and eventually sit through our golden years hopefully without health issues.

Many people can relate to the many financial struggles that we face today and the question is, how can we get ahead if we are always trailing behind and trying to play catch up?

Having Foresight

Health & Well-Being

First of all, you would need to be able to put your health worries aside. That doesn’t only mean joining a gym, eating healthy, and minimising work stress. It also means being able to have something in place that will allow you to cover yourself in case of emergencies. This is so you can put your excess finances into areas that will allow you to expand your investment portfolio or have enough liquid cash to fund your very own business instead of keeping it on standby for medical emergencies.

Automatically your answer to a problem like this would probably lead you to a medical insurance policy. Medical insurance is great, but it is money that is spent annually without returns. You are promised security should anything befall you, but it does not help grow your finances. It would only be taking a portion of it away. Let’s look into how growing your finances play into the overall picture as well before we consider how to get ahead on potential medical bills.

Growing Your Finances

As previously mentioned, with age comes bigger responsibility. That would mean you not only have to concern yourself with health issues, you should very well find a way to expand your overall finances and returns. Therefore, you would need your money to work for you and not just work as its day to day value. Some people invest in stocks where it can be extremely volatile, while some invest in property which is assumed to be a more stable market but leaves you with a slow turn around should you see a better investment and in need of liquid assets.

Some even consider using fixed deposits as an investment tool, which is supposedly known to be the safest of them all, but the interest earned is significantly smaller as compared to stocks or real estate. Of course there are many ways to invest and these are just merely a few common options people consider.

Secure Your Future

People say it is never a good idea to put your eggs in one basket. Maybe we have finally found the exception. Combining the flexibility of investing while having the security of an insurance policy on your health allows you to make life changing decisions today.

Zurich FlexiLife Plus
, a regular premium investment-linked insurance plan from Zurich Insurance Malaysia Berhad (ZIMB) takes into account the financial needs and protection you require at the different stages of life. It covers the standard death and total permanent disability (TPD) while also protecting you from a wide range of critical illnesses, hospitalisation, surgical treatment, personal accidents and female-related illnesses.

The policy also recognises that your needs change as time goes by, and allows you to amend your sum assured in 20% increments at any one time according to life events like marriage, birth of a child or even buying a house.

You can further optimise your investment by selecting the type of markets you would like to allocate your funds in. The funds are managed by professionals under Zurich, so you may diversify your portfolio and choose how much risk you are willing to take by requesting them to invest your funds in Malaysian equities and/or foreign funds such as India and China.

Stay ahead by doing something different from what you have always been doing. Sign up for a
Zurich FlexiLife Plus
 policy today. Secure the vital parts of your future so you may concentrate and focus on other areas of your life today.

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Grab Tells Users To Expect Longer Waiting Times Starting 12 July

(Image: Reuters)

With the new e-hailing regulations set to kick in on 12 July, Grab Malaysia has forewarned users of longer waiting times for rides as fewer drivers are expected to be on the road.

In an email sent to users, the company addressed the very real shortage of drivers in a phenomenon dubbed “
Carmageddon
“. “We understand that this might be frustrating, and we suggest pre-planning your travels during this period.

We hope this situation will be temporary, and will continue to keep you updated. You may experience some inconvenience at first, but these changes are to ensure consistent quality across the e-hailing industry in the long run.”

The email offered suggestions to mitigate the driver shortage, such as booking their rides earlier than usual or where possible, booking a ride during non-peak hours, as it will be more difficult to book one during the peak hours of 7-9am and 5-8pm.

As the 12 July 2019 deadline for all e-hailing drivers to acquire a Public Service Vehicle license looms, the e-hailing industry is bracing itself for a chronic shortage of drivers. Statistics shared by the Ministry of Transport revealed that only
10,151 out of the estimated 167,000 e-hailing drivers
 have qualified for a PSV license. Speculation is rife that e-hailing services will face fare hikes and longer waiting times once the regulations come into force.

The email sent to users is a strong acknowledgement from Grab that its services will be severely affected come 12 July. With fewer drivers on the road, there’s no telling just how heavy the impact will be on a service that is heavily reliant on a large fleet of drivers.

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About THE AUTHOR

Pang Tun Yau

Pang Tun Yau

A seasoned tech journalist who now focuses on his other passion, Pang is a firm believer in old-school DCA and optimised spending.

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MBI, Wavpay Sign Agreement To Develop E-Wallet "Super App" For Selangor

Selangor’s strategic investment arm, Menteri Besar Selangor Inc (MBI Selangor) has entered into an investment agreement with Wavpay Fintech Holdings, aimed at developing the cashless payment and e-services agenda within the state.

The agreement will see WavPay working with Selangor E-Wallet Sdn Bhd – a subsidiary of MBI Selangor – to introduce an e-wallet service that will connect the state’s various financial initiatives and e-services. It is expected to be launched with an announcement of its name within three months, and a wallet size of RM10,000.

“The e-wallet super app Selangor will bring together all business services of the Selangor government, local authorities, statutory bodies, and state subsidiaries that have been regulated by Citizen E-Payment operated Smart Selangor Delivery Unit. This includes social welfare contributed to the people and creating an online marketplace to digitise small and medium enterprise (SME) and micro-SME businesses in Selangor,” said the Selangor executive councillor for trade and industry, Dato’ Teng Chang Khim, who is also the chairman of Selangor E-Wallet Sdn Bhd.

(Image: Selangor Journal)

In particular, Dato’ Teng emphasised that the platform will benefit Selangor citizens who are entitled to assistances from the state government as it will expedite the distribution of the aids. These include recipients of Penyayang Iltizam Selangor programmes, such as Bingkas, Iltizam Selangor Sihat, and Skim Mesra Usia Emas.

“Activities including tax payments to local authorities, and cashless parking payments can also be done through this platform,” Dato’ Teng further said, adding that the initiative will boost the efficiency of services between the government, the people, and SMEs.

Additionally, Dato’ Teng stated that this cooperation is in line with the wishes of Selangor’s chief minister, Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari to develop a cashless community in the state. Dato’ Seri Amirudin had previously already announced that Selangor will launch its
own e-wallet service that will feature all state initiatives
.

(Sources:
Selangor Journal
,
The Malaysian Reserve
)

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About THE AUTHOR

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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MPay Forms Joint Venture With Singaporean VC Firm, Aims For Digital Banking Licence

ManagePay Systems Berhad (MPay) has formed a joint venture company with Singapore-based Passion Venture Capital Pte Ltd (PVC) with the aim of foraying into digital banking in Malaysia.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, MPay said that its subsidiary ManagePay Services had entered into the joint venture agreement with PVC to set up a company that will be applying for one of Bank Negara Malaysia’s digital banking licenses. MPay will hold 51% in the joint venture company, with PVC holding the remaining shares.

“PVC brings the ability to raise the funds required for the digital bank and also a wealth of experience in banking and deep knowledge to enhance banking offerings; therefore, placing the JV company as a formidable forerunner for the digital bank licence application for Malaysia, and subsequently the region of Southeast Asia,” said MPay.

Meanwhile, MPay has said that it is equipped with the infrastructure, processes, and operational know-how needed to seamlessly transform into a fully-fledged digital bank, catering especially to the same micro, small, and medium enterprises market.

Under the agreement, PVC is required to deposit or raise funds of close to RM100 million for the joint-venture company within three months from the date of agreement.

“In the event one month before the expiry of the conditional period, the total funds raised by PVC does not reach RM75mil or more, the parties agree that MPay may invite other investors or shareholders to deposit monies into the capital funds to attain the initial investment sum necessary for the application of a digital bank licence to Bank Negara,” said MPay.

With this move, MPay will join contenders such as
Sunway
,
Axiata Group
,
Razer, Grab, AirAsia
, and
AMTD
 in the race for one of
Bank Negara’s digital banking licenses
.

(Source:
The Edge Markets
,
The Star
)

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UOB Launches UOB SME App To Address Banking, Business Needs Of SMEs

UOB Malaysia has officially launched a new one-stop digital banking platform that specially caters to the financial and business needs of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), dubbed the UOB SME app. It is also said to be the first platform in the industry to provide a suite of solutions that addresses financing and other business needs on both desktop and mobile devices.

In a statement, UOB explained that its UOB SME app shares the same capabilities as its
UOB Infinity
 – an app that was launched back in August 2022 for the banking needs of larger corporates – but has been tailored to match the preferences of SME business owners instead.

SME business owners will be able to tap into an interactive dashboard on the UOB SME app, where they can view their cashflow data and perform various banking transactions conveniently via shortcuts. They can even seamlessly link business data from their accounting solutions to the platform, allowing them quickly see details such as their projected cash position, top customers and suppliers, as well as account receivables and payables.

Additionally, the platform can generate curated solutions for SME business owners based on their cash flow data, such as loan financing options and tips on how they can improve their businesses based on their banking patterns. For those who are looking to expand their businesses overseas – or already have – there is also the function to set personalised foreign currency watchlists and alerts.

Moreover, UOB highlighted that the UOB SME app can access customised insights and trends that are relevant the accountholder’s industries, as well as curate events that are important. Ultimately, it seeks to not only make things more convenient for an SME business owner, but also help them make better business decisions.

The bank further highlighted that the app’s features were not arbitrarily determined; it was, instead, developed based on insights drawn from the recent ASEAN SME Transformation Study 2022, which was jointly conducted by UOB, Accenture, and Dun & Bradstreet. The findings of the biannual study is based on the responses of 1,500 SMEs across Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam – with 300 respondents from Malaysia. Among some interesting data from the study include the fact that 73% of SMEs surveyed expressed keen interest to expand overseas and tap into new opportunities across the region.

Chief executive officer of UOB Malaysia, Ng Wei Wei, stated that the bank looks forward to supporting the Malaysian SME community in their next phase of growth with the UOB SME app. This is as more SMEs embark on a journey of digital transformation and expansion beyond Malaysia, along with the adoption of sustainable business practices.

“Leveraging on customer insights, we are proud to launch the UOB SME app which is designed to enhance the digital banking experience for our SME customers by combining banking solutions, analytics, and business insights into a single platform. It provides SMEs with a real-time view and the convenience of managing their financials on-the-go. SMEs can now stay on top of their businesses and have better financial control, while driving their growth strategies,” said Ng.

Meanwhile, the managing director and country head of wholesale banking for UOB Malaysia, Andy Cheah emphasised the UOB SME app’s ability to assist SMEs in their ambition to expand regionally. “SMEs looking to connect their business to opportunities in ASEAN can also tap on the bank’s (UOB) foreign direct investment (FDI) centres located across Asia including Malaysia, for advisory services,” he added.

The UOB SME app can be downloaded from
Google Play
 and the
App Store
. You can also visit the
UOB SME app landing page
 for further details.

(Source: UOB [
1
,
2
])

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Accenture

Andy Cheah

ASEAN SME Transformation Study 2022

Dun & Bradstreet

Ng Wei Wei

SMEs

UOB

UOB Bank

UOB Infinity

UOB SME App

About THE AUTHOR

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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