GEORGE TOWN, October 16 – Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd (“Touch ‘n Go”) has initiated a significant 3-month campaign in Penang with the goal of encouraging cashless payment options to provide Penang residents with a seamless and fully integrated mobility experience encompassing tolls, transit, and parking. The official launch of this campaign transpired at the prestigious Royale Chulan Hotel in Georgetown, graced by the esteemed presence of Penang’s Chief Minister, YAB Chow Kon Yeow, who assumed the role of guest of honor at the ceremony.
The event also saw attendance from high-ranking Penang state officials and representatives from various government agencies. Touch ‘n Go’s Chief Executive Officer, Praba Sangarajoo, underscored the vital importance of this campaign, stating, “Given Penang’s unambiguous vision of establishing a robust digital infrastructure by 2030, the critical role that transportation plays in any region’s development cannot be underestimated. An effective mobility ecosystem not only elevates residents’ quality of life but also stimulates economic growth and upholds environmental sustainability.”
Touch ‘n Go, as a domestic fintech enterprise and a pioneering force in integrated mobility solutions, ardently anticipates playing a central role in advancing Penang’s smart city ambitions. The company seeks to introduce high-value products and solutions that harness cutting-edge RFID and NFC technology to orchestrate a frictionless and all-encompassing mobility experience for the people of Penang. YAB Chow Kon Yeow, Penang’s Chief Minister, lauded the introduction of e-payment services like Touch ‘n Go RFID. He stressed the significance of these solutions in terms of convenience, efficiency, and security.
Such services align seamlessly with Penang’s objective of becoming an entirely cashless state by 2030, and this aligns perfectly with Touch ‘n Go’s ongoing campaign. The “Walao Eh Just In Penang” roadshow, which will persist until December 2023 across diverse locations on Penang Island and Seberang Perai, seeks to introduce the residents of Penang to Touch ‘n Go’s cutting-edge RFID technology and an upgraded Touch ‘n Go card. The roadshow offers exclusive campaign deals for RFID tags and bundled sets featuring an RFID tag and an enhanced Touch ‘n Go card. Purchasers can also instantly avail themselves of rebates when procuring these products at the roadshow venues and can elect to have the RFID tag installed on their vehicles on the spot.
For over two decades, Touch ‘n Go has played a pivotal role in ushering Malaysia towards a cashless society. The Touch ‘n Go card was an initial driver in the journey toward cashless mobility and has since expanded to other key facets of mobility. The introduction of Near-Field Communication (NFC) reload capabilities has revolutionized the user experience, enabling reloads through mobile phones within seconds, offering anytime, anywhere convenience. Besides the upgraded Touch ‘n Go card, the company has introduced specialized design cards and charms within its NFC-enabled product range, enabling greater personalization for its users.
Security remains a paramount concern, and transactions through these products are safeguarded by the Touch ‘n Go eWallet. Apart from its role in tolls and transit, Touch ‘n Go extends its cashless convenience to seamless parking payments. There are approximately 1,500 Touch ‘n Go-enabled parking facilities nationwide, with 125 located in Penang alone. This eliminates concerns about having sufficient cash for parking and the need to locate payment kiosks. For added peace of mind, users can subscribe to Touch ‘n Go’s personal accident insurance/takaful, ParkInsure, within these parking areas, ensuring insurance coverage when they use their Touch ‘n Go card for entry.
At a monthly premium of RM5 via the Touch ‘n Go eWallet, ParkInsure remains affordable and accessible to all segments of the public. Touch ‘n Go RFID was innovatively developed to streamline toll payments, and it now extends to include contactless fuel payments. As awareness and appreciation of RFID’s seamless convenience continue to grow, its adoption and usage have surged, resulting in over three million RFID customers to date. As part of the launch event, Praba presented a mock check of RM50,000 to YAB Chow Kon Yeow, representing a contribution to Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysia. These funds are earmarked for critical initiatives and programs dedicated to digital inclusion and tech literacy within various local communities.
In his remarks, Praba emphasized the pivotal role of human talent in advancing the smart city and digital agenda, with the hope that this contribution will drive progress and transformation, particularly among youth groups and underprivileged communities. A second mock check, amounting to RM15,000, was extended to the Penang Heritage Trust to bolster the preservation and conservation of Penang’s historic buildings. Visitors attending the “Walao Eh Just In Penang” roadshow locations will find engaging activities, with opportunities to win enticing prizes, including Touch ‘n Go eWallet reload PINs, vouchers, and merchandise.
RFID tag fitting services are also available free of charge. Chief Minister YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow rounded off the launch with commendation for Touch ‘n Go’s initiative in Penang. He stressed its alignment with the Penang2030 Vision and its capacity to promote digital awareness and integrated mobility, thus contributing to the realization of a smarter and more connected Penang. The campaign endeavors to redefine the Penangites’ experience of mobility and digital technology, marking a partnership founded on a shared vision for a more prosperous future.
