THE transaction fee to be charged to vendors for payments received via the DuitNow QR code platform will not burden low-income groups, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.

“Right now, what’s important is that the low-income groups are not burdened (by the lifting of the waiver),” he told reporters after an event in Kuala Lumpur today.

He also said the decision to lift the waiver on the merchant discount rate for vendors was made by Bank Negara Malaysia.

He was commenting on Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd confirming yesterday that vendors will be charged a transaction fee for payments received via the DuitNow QR code platform from November 1.

Earlier today, Anwar at another event admitted that there was an urgent concern on the rising prices of goods and how they are affecting the people.

He said the National Action Council on Cost of Living chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will hold a special meeting to look into the matter.

“There is indeed a problem. I admit there’s a problem with the (rising) prices of goods and necessities.

“The country is already feeling great social anxiety because of the rice export restrictions and the increase in export taxes (imposed by other countries),” said the finance minister.

The government is ready to provide assistance to the people to offset the effects of the rising prices of goods, he added. – September 29, 2023.