THE Malacca government today introduced the use of e-wallets through the Touch ‘n Go app for trishaw services in the state, Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali said. 

He said the initiative, introduced by the Tourism Promotion Division, is in line with the development of technology and is user friendly, in addition to being a way to prevent the spread of Covid-19 infections. 

“As of today, almost 80% of trishaw pullers in Malacca have received payments through the Touch ‘n Go e-wallet and it is estimated that all 305 registered trishaw pullers will use this method of payment soon.

“Malacca trishaws are the first in the country to use the e-wallet app and I congratulate those who have transitioned to using the Touch ‘n Go app,” he told reporters after presenting Hari Raya Aidilfitri donations to trishaw pullers in the state at Bandar Hilir in Malacca today.

Sulaiman said the 305 registered trishaw pullers in the state received RM200 in cash and basic necessities, and that the one-off donation is an annual agenda for the state government in its efforts to ensure the welfare of the group. He said he hopes the donations can reduce their burdens and help them in their preparation for the festivities after being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Meanwhile, trishaw puller Amran Hashim, 50, said the introduction of the e-wallet would add value to the industry in terms of the use of technology, as well as help trishaw pullers to become more tech-savvy.

Amran, who has been plying his trade for a decade, said the method gives customers more payment choices as most domestic tourists prefer cashless payment methods.

“Moving on, we hope more tourists will use e-wallet payments as it makes payments easy. It’s easier and safer as we are still not free of Covid-19,” he said.

Another trishaw puller, Mohd Izwan Taib, 31, said the use of e-wallets is more secure as the payments would be deposited directly into their accounts, and help them avoid losing the money accidentally and curb unnecessary spending. 

“When customers pay via e-wallet, we don’t have to hold cash like before. So when we don’t have money in hand, expenses can be controlled,” the six-year trishaw veteran said.

He added that the method helps them save some of their income and facilitate more systematic cash inflow into their bank accounts.

Fellow trishaw puller, Mohd Safwan Aziz, 29, shared that the e-wallet payments makes paying for trishaw rides easy as pullers do not have to worry about having change for customers’ payments. 

“Trishaw rides cost RM25 and RM50 per trip according to determined distance. So previously, we would have to prepare change for customers,” he added. – Bernama, April 18, 2022.