NCIA, Kiplepay enable tech literacy in Orang Asli communities 

• Provided prepaid cashless cards loaded with US$55 for Orang Asli community
• Prepaid cards can be used to purchase basic necessities from local merchants

As part of the government’s agenda to bolster digital literacy among members of society from all layers, the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) is driving outreach efforts for the Orang Asli communities in Perak.

The outreach is done via its financial aid initiative Kasih Ibu Darul Ridzuan (KIDR), with technology solutions provided by Kiplepay Sdn Bhd.

In a statement, the agency said through the programme, it provides prepaid cashless cards, powered by Kiplepay, to recipients from Orang Asli communities in Perak.

Reloaded with US$55 (RM250) monthly with funds provided by the federal government, these cards can then be used to purchase basic necessities from local merchants, inclusive of Orang Asli merchants, it said. 

Among these merchants include 15 ‘kedai bergerak’ (mobile merchants), who exist specifically to address location accessibility issues.

Jebasingam Issace John, chief executive of NCIA said the KIDR initiative is not only helping to eradicate poverty among Malaysia’s low-income communities, but it is in line with the government’s goal to move the entire digital nation forward.

“By enabling mobile merchants to adopt this feature with Kiplepay’s cashless cards, NCIA hopes that even those in rural areas will be inspired to up-skill their digital literacy and embrace digital change,” he said.

Mobile merchants provide a service that brings them and their products to their purchasers, rather than the other way around, NCIA said.

This solves a key problem that many Orang Asli communities face, particularly those whose villages are in secluded areas that can be accessed only by four-by-four vehicles and boats. 

With the service of mobile merchants, Orang Asli communities that reside in these areas can make easy purchases of essential items without travelling far from their villages.

Ricky Lew (pic), acting chief executive officer of Kiplepay Sdn Bhd said with the cashless cards and payment terminals powered by Kiplepay, Orang Asli recipients and merchants will be exposed and have access to safer, contactless payment transactions.

“This move will further encourage communities in rural areas to embrace digital solutions in their lives, therefore opening them up to more opportunities in the future,” he said.

NCIA said the KIDR programme has benefitted a total of 4,701 recipients including 1,094 Orang Asli communities in 2021.

To date, the programme has onboarded a total of 150 merchants under the KIDR programme, of which 25 merchants are from the Orang Asli community, it added.

For more information on the Kasih Ibu Darul Ridzuan programme, visit www.ncer.kidr.com