Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg today launched the Sarawak Pay, a cashless mobile payment solution implemented by the state government to empower its digital economy agenda.

The solution enables payment by way of electronic wallet (e-Wallet), credit card or internet banking.

The electronic wallet (e-Wallet), licensed under Payment Galaxy Wallet and governed by Bank Negara Malaysia, is not only the first e-Wallet in the Sarawak state government but also the first e-Wallet implemented in the country by a state government.

A press statement released during the launching ceremony held at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly lobby in Kuching today stated that the Sarawak Pay e-Wallet balance can be topped up through Internet banking or credit card.

The statement stated that for this first phase pilot rollout, Bank Negara only allows each top-up to a maximum of RM200.

Next year, the state government will apply to Bank Negara Malaysia to expand the balance capacity up to a maximum of RM1,500, added the statement.

Sarawak Pay has a ‘Scan & Pay’ feature that allows each payment to be initiated by scanning the QR code on a biller’s bill or scanning the QR code display by the SEDC hotels.

This feature will be very convenient in facilitating cashless payments at the hotel eating outlets.

For the first phase pilot rollout, the “Scan & Pay” feature will be deployed for billers and outlets, namely Sarawak Energy monthly consumption bill, Kuching Water Board monthly consumption bill, all 26 local councils assessment bills, Grand Margherita Hotel (10 outlets) and Riverside Majestic Hotel (14 outlets).

It said that next year the Sarawak state government will also be expanding the “Scan & Pay” feature to all government agencies and other utility bills, local retailers and merchants in the state.