KUALA LUMPUR – A total of two million youths are expected to benefit from the RM300 million e-Pemula programme that will run beginning April 11.
Eligible recipients can begin registering for and claiming their one-off credit of RM150 beginning 8am tomorrow until June 1, with the last date to spend the e-cash set for June 10.
Applicants can apply for the one-off RM150 credit from their preferred e-wallets.
According to information provided to the media by the Finance Ministry, the e-Pemula programme is open to all active full-time students at various levels of education in institutions of higher learning in Malaysia.
Full-time students enrolled in courses equivalent to a diploma or SKM4 (Level 4 Malaysian Skills Certificate) and above in recognised public and private higher learning institutions will also benefit.
Additionally, the programme will be open to students who are graduating this year but are still part of the enrolment, such as those with an active status as of January.
For those aged between 18 and 20 but are not necessarily students, their applications will be confirmed by the National Registration Department.
On March 31, the government identified four e-wallets in the country to participate in its e-Pemula cashless transaction scheme that will see eligible youth receiving one-off credit of RM150 each.
On March 31, the government identified four e-wallets in the country – BigPay, GrabPay, ShopeePay, and TnG eWallet – to participate in its e-Pemula cashless transaction scheme.
The programme will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on April 15.
The ministry added that a central database will then be used to approve the user information and update the e-wallet providers on approved beneficiaries, with funds to be disbursed within 72 hours of application.
The ministry said the amount provided by the government is to be used for offline purchases only, to ensure Malaysian retailers fully benefit from the scheme.
Matching in-kind benefits from the four e-wallets, however, can be used for both offline and online purchases, with the providers to set up a control mechanism to restrict online purchases.
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz had first announced the e-Pemula programme on March 27. – The Vibes, April 10, 2022