Visa, AKPK challenge Malaysians to make ‘Cent-sible’ financial decisions

• The game will be available in both English and Bahasa Malaysia
• Gen Ys are accruing debt early and lack understanding when it comes to financial planning

 

VISA and Malaysia’s Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) have entered their fourth year of collaboration to promote financial literacy in Malaysia.

This year, Cent-sible Choice - the popular online game - has been updated with new features that will help young Malaysians learn how to intelligently manage their finances in a fun and interesting way.  

The 2016 version of the online game introduces a new character specifically designed for young working adults. The game will be available in both English and Bahasa Malaysia to reach out to urban and rural Malaysians.

To create more awareness and encourage financial literacy amongst youths, Visa will also be conducting a series of university engagements by partnering with GProvision; the master licensee for ‘Praxis’, a boardgame that aids experiential learning based on simulated real-life finance issues.

“Visa believes financial literacy is critically important and should be taught early on to help prepare the younger generation to make smart financial choices. This year, Cent-sible Choice is targeted at students, fresh graduates and young working adults and can be played online in both English and Bahasa Malaysia.

“We are engaging with several universities including Segi College, USIM, Tunkul Abdul Rahman College and UiTM to conduct physical boardgame sessions for undergraduates.

“We want to help equip young Malaysians with practical financial knowledge that can be applied in everyday situations,” said Visa country manager for Malaysia KB Ng.

“Based on our recent research with the Asian Institute of Finance, Gen Ys in Malaysia make up the largest population of consumers, have a high level of spending power and believe in  ‘living in the moment’. Gen Ys are accruing debt at an earlier age and lack understanding when it comes to financial planning, which is exactly what Cent-sible Choice aims to resolve,” said AKPK CEO Azaddin Ngah Tasir.

The online game presents everyday scenarios relevant and unique to young Malaysians, encouraging them to make small but effective spending decisions. It provides them with financial tips for each decision that they make in the game.

The wiser choices will earn players higher points compared to the other choice. The players can accumulate points for daily, weekly and overall wins. They can also invite their friends to play the game and earn even more points.

Some of the scenarios are as follows:

• Student players are given scenarios revolving around ways to celebrate their 21st birthday parties. They get to make informed decisions involving shopping trips and movie outings amongst others.
• Fresh graduates are presented with scenarios ranging from taking a student loan to making a decision on how they want to commute daily. For example, how would they pay for their student loans? Would they do it via monthly repayment or lump sum? As for daily commuting, they decide whether to travel by public transport or by car/car pool.
• Working adults will be tested mainly about financial obligations, such as renting a house or buying a new house with EPF withdrawal; plan for a small or lavish wedding and how to spend their bonuses wisely.

Cent-sible Choice is scheduled to go live in November.
 

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