KUCHING: SPay Global as launched a new 'Interoperable QR' feature that will benefit users of the application.

The Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said, this initiative is part of efforts to drive the state's economy towards becoming a high-income state with advanced status by 2030 through digital transformation.

"I am pleased to announce that SPay Global has gone a step further by introducing the 'Interoperable QR' facility under the DuitNow platform by PayNet.

"The facility of this service network allows the transfer of funds to be done 24/7 with the funds credited immediately to the recipient," he said.

He said this in the text of a speech read by Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas when completing the Opening Ceremony of the Sarawak Financial Literacy Carnival in Kuching, on Saturday.

He affirmed that SPay Global will also be equipped with the 'Cross Border QR' facility later on, allowing foreign tourists from countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, China, South Korea, and Cambodia to make payments just by scanning DuitNow's QR code using their mobile banking applications and e-wallets when visiting Malaysia.

"This is a very good initiative for the economy of the Sarawak region, especially in the context of economic development in the Borneo Islands, especially with the transfer of the Indonesian capital from Jakarta to the archipelago in Kalimantan," he added.

He also touched on the Sarawak government's efforts in collaborating with Bank Negara Malaysia and financial institutions to launch mobile banking services in 2021 for the convenience of residents in rural areas.

So far, eight mobile bank units have provided financial services in 24 rural locations in Sarawak.

For the record, SPay Global recorded transactions worth RM4.2 billion, with 770,000 users and 91,000 registered merchants since it was launched in November 2017.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak Financial Literacy Carnival (KCK) 2024, which is the highlight of the Financial Literacy Month, has started on November 15 and will end on November 17.

Also present during the ceremony were the Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia Dato' Seri Abdul Rasheed Abdul Ghaffour, Secretary General of the Ministry of Education Malaysia Datuk Ruji Ubi and other guests of honour. - UKASnews