Why e-Wallet will be the Future Payment Method in Malaysia?

Throw away your wallet! Replacing it with e-Wallet! You like it or not, the future of making transactions will be via electronic-wallet or QR code payments. We called it as e-Wallet.

In recent years, QR code payments are increasingly being seen as an affordable alternative to cash payments, particularly in Asia where mobile phone penetration is relatively higher. Across different jurisdictions, regulatory approaches have varied.

Considering Malaysia’s market characteristics, Bank Negara Malaysia has adopted a unique approach that aims to ensure a unified and interconnected network amid the proliferation of QR code payment providers. Hopefully, this will be happening very soon.

What's the central bank's initiatives on e-wallet ?

[EPF-MIS] Revised Basic Savings Table effective Jan 2019

Attention to all EPF members investment scheme (MIS) members, once again, EPF has just announced that they will be revising the basic savings threshold before a member can withdraw for investment purpose effective Jan 2019.

Higher or Lower ???

Of course, it will be revised higher in view of rising inflation or the depreciation of our value of money. The new quantum for the Basic Savings in EPF Account 1 will be revised from RM228,000 (RM 950 per month for 20 years) to RM240,000 (RM1,000 per month for 20 years) at member’s age of 55 years old.

According to EPF, the basic savings refer to the amount that is considered sufficient to support members’ basic retirement needs for 20 years from age 55 to 75 aligned with the Malaysian life expectancy.

How much Higher ???

[Budget 2019] You have to know these WINNERs and LOSERs !!!

It was suppose to be a “national sacrifice” budget, but it turns out be a caring budget to take care the B40 targeted group while more prudent on the government expenditure. Prior to the tabling of Budget 2019 in Parliament last Friday, the markets reacted negatively in anticipation of a painful year ahead.

No more bad news = Good news ???

However, the reality, as it turned out, was not as taxing all because of the surprising RM 30billion special dividend to be given from Petronas. Effectively, this has lessen the need for deeper spending cuts and/or more punitive tax-raising initiatives. Thank you to Petronas, the national hero once again.

Let's have a summary of the potential winners and losers from this Budget 2019:

Budget 2019: Economic Highlights and Un-Budgeted Items?

From the recently announced Budget 2019 themed as 'Malaysia Wibawa, Ekonomi Dinamik, Rakyat Sejahtera', it will have 3 focus areas, and 12 main strategies to put the country back as an "Asian Tiger" again (hopefully), as what we enjoyed during 1990s until the Asian financial crisis.

Below is the 3 focus areas:

• 1st : Implement institutional reforms
• 2nd : Ensure people's well-being
• 3rd : Nurture a culture of entrepreneurship

The very first budget announcement from the new government after 60 years of independence caught the eyes of the world, especially economists, to gauge the thinking of the new ruling coalition's future policies. Well, it was considered as an expansionary budget, although facing fiscal constraint, partly due to 1MDB scandal.