KUALA LUMPUR – The government will not interfere in Pos Malaysia’s decision to impose a 50 sen charge for Astro bill payments as it considers this a commercial arrangement between the two entities.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa (Ketereh-BN) said there is currently no provision to force Pos Malaysia to drop the charges, and that his ministry has no jurisdiction over the matter.
He added that users who do not wish to pay the 50 sen are provided with other alternative payment methods, including through auto debit service, Astro’s Quick Pay, jomPAY platform and through walk-in at Astro’s customer service centres.
“Astro provides options, there are platforms for bill payment that don't charge the 50 sen. Of course you also have the option to pay through Pos Malaysia.
“Although the ministry acts as a regulatory body responsible for Pos Malaysia, the deal with Astro is a commercial arrangement,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Annuar was responding to several questions from Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan-PH) on why customers are forced to pay 50 sen on top of their Astro bills when making payment at post offices.
The DAP lawmaker questioned the need for this with Astro already imposing service charges on their customers, and asked if the ministry would step in and seek Astro to absorb the 50 sen.
Pos Malaysia began charging the amount for Astro bill payments September 1.
Earlier in his response, Annuar said other than providing basic post services, Pos Malaysia has expanded its business activity and is now considered a logistic services and e-commerce company.
He added that the corporate body functions as an important channel for bill payments of over 200 government agencies and departments, as well as private firms such as Astro.
“The service charge imposed differs, depending on the type and level of service offered, and based on commercial agreement.” – The Vibes, October 28, 2021
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