While electronic payment solutions may offer consumers many benefits, there are some drawbacks for petty traders.

Several wet market traders in SS2, Petaling Jaya interviewed told Malaysiakini that an "e-wallet" transaction takes up more time.

Many traders at the market have already put up QR codes for their e-wallet accounts several months ago with the help of agents from payment firms.

A normal transaction would see a buyer scanning the QR code and keying-in the amount they wish to transfer.

The vendor would then have to check their phones if they had receive the correct amount.

For roasted poultry seller Agnes Chong (above), this process can be pretty cumbersome since vendors need to operate a mobile phone, on top of handling cash.

"Take the you tiao (Chinese crullers) seller at the adjacent stall. By the time he's done with one transaction, his wares might already be charred.

"If you're busy, you probably won't want to use it. For me, I'll put the QR code card away during the busy festival months," Chong said.

Sometimes, new users don't know how to pay using e-wallets and Chong said she had to spend time teaching them - an added inconvenience.

Another problem for Chong was the fact that transactions take two days to reach her bank account.

"If we rely on e-wallet transactions exclusively, then we will have to dig our reserves to pay suppliers first.

"If it's a small amount, then it is okay. If it involves a large amount, then I think vendors might shy away from e-wallets," she said.

Several of the traders at the markets said they have had a limited number of e-wallet transactions in the past, but expected it to pick up, now that the federal government is encouraging it.

Vegetable and fruit seller Kelly Ho (above) believes that e-wallet transactions do have benefits.

For instance, Ho said, consumers, don't have to wait for change when transacting with e-wallets and it was safer for them too.

As a vendor, she said, e-wallets make recording transactions easier.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng was at the market yesterday morning to promote the use of e-wallets.

The federal government is incentivising the use of e-wallets by offering RM30 for new sign-ups to three e-wallet providers.

"This is is an important step towards a cashless society, which will help to practice transparency and accountability.

"If (one day) we go completely cashless, we can cut down a lot of corruption," Lim said.

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/507404

In China, they will broadcast the transaction record. Hope local ewallet can do the same.

step up laa wey, elsewhere beggars also have ewallet.

Cash is king.

e wallet is the future and its booming

same to those who think online shopping sucks back those days

At my place the shop doesn't even bother to check his phone, as long as you show him your phone screen can liao.

Mana ?

Kedai makan at my condo. Jalan Ipoh KL.

In China, my friend's uncle has this simple DIY stick that he can use to poke the buttons. He is running Jian Bing street food.
is idiot proof, some people are just too ignorant and doesn't want to progress.

Interesting, got picture of this DIY stick?

Just say cash is King la.....at the moment no MDR also as I know for e-wallet except alipay, and money was transferred into account in less than 2-3days je
To check.confirmation I see customer phone je , no need check my own phone

is just a simple pencil like wood stick. attach to a string.
dont have photo.

Cash is not really king. Lots of time i give RM100 bill, mahai like dun wanna change for me. RM100 only. Jilaka.

Most of the time i just Paywave on my SamsengPay.

Most likely they love cash as it is easy to conceal ur wealth from tax authority

Or they laundering money

The only thing good about ewallets for petty traders is no need give out changes which they always have trouble, no need ask customer ada kecik ah?
But then again I think they prefer cash in hand

ya...i dont remember them checking also if i have to scan their qr...just show my screen

Ya, the dread when you see atm machine gives RM100 note.

Teething problems which should sort out by itself given some time.

This post has been edited by St0rmFury: Jan 17 2020, 09:32 AM

They complain because e-wallet got transaction in black and white, while cash transaction can easier to evade tax