15/02/2026

ON SUNDAY February 15, 2026 X theSunday Special

Contactless payments in Malaysia

Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode plus a dynamic security code. Where it works: At terminals that accept Visa PayWave or Mastercard Pay Pass, including restaurants, retail outlets, transit points and supermarkets. Unique benefit: Users can pay any amount, including amounts above RM250, without a PIN or signature, as authentication occurs on the device. Also works online or in apps: Apple Pay can be used for checkout in Safari or apps without entering billing details. Which option works best and when?

BY ASHRAF WAHAB

Payment Method

Best For

Notes

DuitNow (Transfer/QR)

Sending money or merchant payments Tolls, food and daily use

Inter-bank, fast, free for small amounts

TnG eWallet

Widely accepted with multiple services No PIN, works at card terminals

Apple Pay (iOS only)

Secure tap-to-pay

TnG eWallet: Malaysia’s homegrown leader

Tips on getting started • i 3KRQH XVHU" 6HW XS $SSOH 3D\ ¿UVW • For groceries, tolls or e-hailing, use TnG eWallet. • For fast transfers, use DuitNow via bank or e-wallet apps. • Activate Go+ in TnG for passive re turns. Final thoughts Malaysia has come a long way in reducing reliance on cash, especially in urban areas. Whether you’re an iOS user, a QR commuter or a Rechnung -splitting pro, FRQWDFWOHVV RSWLRQV QRZ R̆ HU ÀH[LELOLW\ security and convenience. Fashionable or not, payment choices matter. From second-hand purchases to daily essentials, digital payments have become part of everyday routines and understanding how they work helps Ma laysians use them better. Quick guide on contactless payments DuitNow • Use via bank or e-wallet apps • Transfer using mobile, NRIC or busi ness ID • One QR code works across banks and wallets TnG eWallet • Over 20 million users nationwide • Used for tolls, parking, food and trans port • G R R̆ HUV UHWXUQV RQ ZDOOHW EDODQFHV Apple Pay • Supported by Maybank, AmBank and Standard Chartered • Works with iPhone and Apple Watch • No PIN required above RM250 Pro tip: Always keep some cash on hand, especially outside city centres, where not all vendors accept digital payments.

What it is: Launched in 2017 by Touch ’n Go in partnership with Ant Financial, this e-wallet lets users pay via QR or RFID, top up tolls, settle bills, shop online, send money peer-to-peer and buy tickets or insurance within the app. As of 2024, it has over 20 million YHUL¿HG XVHUV ZLWK PRUH WKDQ PLOOLRQ monthly active users and over 2 million merchant touchpoints. Monthly transac tions exceed RM15 billion. Users can choose between a QR code and a Visa card for payments abroad, with real-time exchange rates displayed. What people use it for: ,Q about 55% of respondents said they used e-wallets mainly for tolls, parking or transport, while 51% used them for food and beverages. Bonus feature: TnG Go+ lets users HDUQ DURXQG SHU DQQXP RQ VWRUHG funds.

L ET’S be real. In Malaysia’s urban scene, whether you’re grabbing lunch at Bangsar, rushing onto the MRT or just trying to pay for your kopi for breakfast, you’re probably tapping, scanning or swiping your phone or card more often than you whip out cash. If you’re wondering which contactless option works best where, how to use it smartly and who needs what setup, this guide is for you. We’re talking about the big three in contactless payments here: The national DuitNow system (via QR or transfers), Malaysia’s homegrown Touch ’n Go (TnG) eWallet and Apple Pay – Apple’s mobile wallet for iPhones and Apple Watches. DuitNow: The bank-centralised QR and transfer system What it is: DuitNow is Malaysia’s na tional QR standard, managed by PayNet under Bank Negara Malaysia. It is inte grated into most banks’ internet banking and mobile apps, enabling transfers or payments using your phone number, NRIC or business ID instead of your account number. How to use it: To send money, open your banking or e-wallet app, select the DuitNow option, enter the recipient’s

ID (e.g., their mobile number), enter the DPRXQW YHULI\ WKH GHWDLOV DQG FRQ¿UP Funds appear instantly in the recipient’s bank account. Transfers up to RM5,000 are usually free. Some banks waive small fees for higher amounts. You can now use DuitNow while travel ling overseas to scan QR codes for QRIS (Indonesia), NETS (Singapore), Prompt Pay (Thailand) and Bakong (Cambodia) when paying participating merchants. Payment requests: You can request money using DuitNow Request – useful for group meals or rent splitting. Limits vary by bank or app, but it generally supports up to RM50,000 per day for individuals. Why it matters: It solves the “too many e-wallets” problem. Almost every major e-wallet or bank supports DuitNow QR, meaning one QR code works across multiple services.

Apple Pay: Mobile wallet for iOS users What it is: A contactless payment system by Apple that works via NFC. In Malaysia, it is available for Visa and Mastercard cards issued by AmBank, Maybank and Standard Chartered. Why it’s secure: It uses tokenisation – card numbers are not stored on devices or Apple servers. Transactions require