SABAH, Malaysia, July 1, 2025 – The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is intensifying efforts to expand Malaysia’s cashless ecosystem, particularly in rural areas, through its Retail Digitalisation Initiative (ReDI). The initiative aims to empower local retailers by promoting digital business practices, with a focus on e-wallet adoption among traders.
To drive this agenda, KPDN launched the 10-day Kembara ReDI Borneo 2025 on June 26, starting in Sematan, Sarawak, and set to conclude in Tawau, Sabah, on July 5. The programme seeks to educate rural retailers on digital business operations, emphasizing e-wallet transactions to foster a cashless society nationwide.
According to KPDN, ReDI offers retailers efficient financial management, business growth opportunities, diverse payment options, and improved inventory management. The initiative is supported by strategic partners, including Bank Negara Malaysia, PayNet, and registered e-wallet providers such as Touch ‘n Go eWallet, GrabPay, ShopeePay, MAE by Maybank, Boost, and SPay Global.
Since its launch on August 27, 2022, ReDI has onboarded 22,368 traders onto e-wallet platforms as of May 31, 2025, surpassing the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) target of 15,000 traders by over 100%. From January 1 to May 31, 2025, an additional 3,229 traders registered under ReDI, with 1,120 from Sabah and 1,799 from Sarawak. In just the first five days of Kembara ReDI Borneo 2025, 3,708 traders from both states joined the initiative.
“The Kembara ReDI Borneo 2025 is a proactive step to equip rural traders with the tools to thrive in a digital economy,” said Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan bin Mohd Ali, during an event in Papar, Sabah.
“We are committed to building a robust cashless ecosystem that benefits businesses and consumers alike.”
The ministry’s efforts underscore its dedication to modernizing Malaysia’s retail sector and ensuring rural communities are not left behind in the digital transformation.