(From second left) Tiang and Tiong join a couple of hawkers in a photo-call taken at the merchandise section of Sibu Central Market.
SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and Sarawak Pay are working together to encourage further utilisation of the e-wallet application among the hawkers and shoppers at Sibu Central Market, says Councillor Albert Tiang.
SMC Market and Petty Traders Standing Committee chairman said under a joint campaign by SMC and Sarawak Pay, any purchase of at least RM10 made at any of the 101 participating stalls on the first floor of the central market, between Oct 31 and Nov 1 this year, would entitle the shopper to redeem a Sarawak Pay recyclable bag.
Adding on, he said there would be different campaigns for other sections of the market.
“The whole intention is to encourage hawkers and shoppers utilise Sarawak Pay, towards making Sibu Central Market a ‘cashless market’. On top of that, shoppers who make payments via Sarawak Pay would benefit from cash rebates.
“Actually, we encourage the public to check out the 101 (participating) stalls at the central market at any time, not just during this promotional period.
“We’re sure that the shoppers would be spoilt for choice as these 101 stalls sell a wide variety of goods such as clothing for children and adults as well as used clothing, shoes, mobile phone accessories, fishing gears and other general items,” Tiang told reporters when met at Sibu Central Market yesterday.
In addition, he pointed out that a counter would be set up on the first floor, near the merchandise section, where the shoppers could redeem the Sarawak Pay shopping bags.
According to Tiang, of the 1,117 stalls at the central market, about 70 per cent of them have registered with Sarawak Pay.
In this regard, the councillor was confident that all hawkers there would sign up with Sarawak Pay soon.
“We have set up a committee set to assist the hawkers, especially the elderly ones, on the mechanisms and usage of Sarawak Pay,” he said, adding that such familiarisation effort was on-going.
He also observed the high percentage of hawkers signing up with Sarawak Pay at other markets and hawker’s centres under SMC’s jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Pay central region agent David Tiong highlighted the many benefits of using the homegrown e-wallet application.
“Sarawak Pay is very safe, as there is no physical handling of cash; hence, no physical contact between sellers and buyers amidst the current Covid-19 situation, as the transactions are being handled digitally,” he said.
On Sept 16 this year, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg launched Sarawak Pay and Wi-Fi facilities at Sibu Central Market.
In his speech, he said with Sarawak Pay, shoppers at the market could easily make purchases using their smartphones.