Economist Muhammed Abdul Khalid is supportive of Putrajaya’s move to encourage Malaysians to use e-wallets as mooted under Budget 2020.

However, he said there could be a better way to implement it that frees up funds for other purposes.

“The idea to get low-income people to have an e-wallet is a good idea, but perhaps the existing government income transfer mechanisms can be used.

“(For example) the equivalent amount of what was proposed in the budget (RM 30) of the Cost of Living Aid (BSH) can be put into e-wallets (instead) then you already save half a billion that can be used for other purposes...