In a rural Kedah town where e-payments have slowly made inroads, 'cash is still king' for older townsfolks

GURUN, Aug 10 — For years, the town of Jeniang located some 30 kilometres from Sungai Petani in Kedah had only one automated teller machine (ATM) to serve a population of around 6,000 people.

Years later, that very same ATM — strategically located in a petrol station overlooking the main thoroughfare — still remains the town's only access to convenient and emergency cash withdrawals within a 20-kilometre radius from the nearest bank.

With the state election campaign in high gear, much of the town people's main concern hinges on the existence of this sole ATM for the majority of the older among them.

As a matter of fact, Jeniang in February this year was selected as part of a pilot project dubbed the e-Duit Desa programme to promote the use of more electronic or e-payment methods.

Among the early adopters were micro-entrepreneurs — from local eateries to family-run convenient shops — which are easily identified by the ubiquitous QR code neatly placed by their cash register.

"Yes it did in fact help my business but most of the QR code users are those from the younger age group. Admittedly, the older generation do not carry electronic devices so they prefer cash instead," a proprietor who only wanted to be known as Mooi said when met.

Business owner Mooi waiting for her customer at her shop in Jeniang, Kedah, August 8, 2023. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

Mooi runs a small convenience stall at the Jeniang bus station and has been in the business for almost eight years now, after having moved to the town from Kuala Lumpur.

"I do encourage and guide them (older people) when they come here but it has been a slow process," she said, though expressing optimism such obstacles can be overcome as the town develops further.

Businessman Yusof Yaab said it was definitely convenient for business owners to adopt e-payment methods as the money goes directly to their bank accounts but lamented the low adoption among senior citizens who are not exposed to such technology.

"But if you ask me, it is very convenient if maximised fully," the Penang native who runs a grocery business.

Despite having been in business for over a decade now, Yusof said that he only recently adopted e-payment when he joined the e-Duit Desa pilot project.

Business owner Yusof Yaab posing for a photograph at his shop in Jeniang, Kedah, August 8, 2023. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

Since then, Yusof has actively encouraged older residents to utilise e-payments but conceded it was a daunting task as most do not carry or even possess a mobile device required for such transactions.

For bakery shop proprietor Wanzurah Zainol, the introduction of e-payment has eased her daily operations since the nearest bank is some 20 kilometres away in either the townships of Gurun towards the west or Sik towards the east.

"If you are asking whether it has become easier to do business, most definitely because there is no bank here and it is easier to have payments transferred directly to your account.

"Management-wise it is very convenient as you do not need to have so much cash on hand and safer," she said, adding that alternative payment methods were beneficial for the town's overall growth in the long run.

Just next door, Sireh Cafe service staff Mohd Azzuan Azizan echoed the sentiments of business owners interviewed by Malay Mail earlier while noting patrons' encouraging feedback over the availability of e-payment at the restaurant.

"But we still ask our patrons whether they are making payments by cash or e-wallet," he said.

Like others, Sireh Cafe was also one of the early adopters of the e-Duit Desa project whose ultimate aim is to help the district go cashless.

Sireh Cafe cashier Mohd Azzuan Azizan speaking to Malay Mail in Jeniang, Kedah, August 8, 2023. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

More machines

Pakatan Harapan's candidate for the Gurun state constituency, Firdaus Johari, said efforts have been made to get financial institutions to open a branch here or increase the number of ATMs but these were subsequently hindered by the imposed pre-conditions.

Pakatan Harapan Gurun candidate Firdaus Johari greeting members of the local community during his campaign at Jeniang in Kedah, August 8, 2023. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

According to Firdaus, such pre-conditions include having an enclosed space with air-conditioning and security measures borne fully by the third party making such requests.

Yet all hope is not lost because Firdaus said there was already a suitable location for additional machines to be set up at the very petrol station where the only ATM is located.

"I have spoken to the petrol station owner and he has no objections to having another ATM installed on his premises which will greatly benefit those around here if it comes to fruition," he said.

"So in my manifesto I have made it a promise to at least provide a new cash deposit machine (CDM) since this is a persistent complaint by the residents here all this while."

Firdaus recalled how in the past people, especially senior citizens, had to queue for hours just to withdraw their government cash handouts through the sole ATM at the petrol station.

"And when it was their turn, the machine was out of service (likely due to insufficient funds available for withdrawal)... it was very sad," he lamented.