GEORGE TOWN – The Road Transport Department (RTD) has launched a cashless campaign in Perlis, Kedah and Penang aimed at combating counterfeit money and arresting corruption.
Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) media representative Nurshahida Aszahari told The Vibes that there have been more than 20 cases in recent years of RTD counters getting counterfeit money.
An RTD officer, who requested anonymity, said cashiers who received payments in such bills have had to make up the difference with their own money.
“We at MPC are helping to implement this cashless campaign and build awareness on it among the public,” said Nurshahida.
“As of now, Perlis and Penang have adapted well, but from what I know, Kedah is still a little behind in terms of going cashless. There are still people, especially the older generation, who come in and tell RTD that they don’t own any bank cards.
“However, we are not going to go back to using cash, we still want to enforce this system. Therefore, we need to continue educating the public about this.
“At the Batu Uban branch in Penang, they implemented the cashless system earlier, before it was enforced at all RTD branches in the northern states. (Some members of the public) faced difficulty at first, but officers helped them, and agents got them to sign up for bank cards.
“Before we started the campaign, they (RTD in northern states) were already running 99% cashless. Perlis had gone 91% cashless even before we started this initiative.”
Last year, six senior RTD enforcement officers were charged with corruption, following months of investigation and the remand of 79 people – all from Penang – to assist in the probe. – The Vibes, December 12, 2020
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