PUTRAJAYA: The Youth and Sports Ministry is on its way to becoming the first ministry to wholly adopt cashless transactions, in line with Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50) aspirations.
Its minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who launched the initiative at the ministry today, said the e-wallet system will be implemented throughout the ministry's asset.
"We will start here at the ministry first, before expanding it to the National Youth Skills Institute, National Sports Council, shops and kiosks at stadiums and at the Kuala Lumpur Sports City (KL Sports City).
"Cashless transactions can be used for the facilities provided by the ministry. We hope we can use the cashless system not only to monitor transactions but also to enable customers to make purchases," he said during a press conference after the launch today.
The initiative with vcash, a mobile application that offers an easier and more convenient way to pay, send, request and store money in their smartphones, is offered by Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd in partnership with Valyou Sdn Bhd.
The application can be downloaded on Google Play store or Apple App store for free.
The vcash service is available across all telco operators and it only requires users to own a smartphone and have network connection.
Khairy said the initiative is timely in supporting the country's national agenda in becoming a cashless society.
"Some 450 staff of the ministry will be given a vcash account, to enable them to purchase goods at the ministry's Rimau Cafe, Teratai Cafe and to pay for the 1Malaysia KBS gymnasium fees.
Digi’s chief executive officer Albern Murty said both the government and private sectors have been showing positive support towards cashless transaction.
"vcash offers four key benefits over cash. It is safe with every transaction secure by PIN or fingerprint, and convenient as it can be used anytime and anywhere.
"It is also trackable as it helps you to keep an eye on your expenditure and effortless as you can pay, send or receive money," he added.