DPM: E-wallet apps benefit charitable organisations

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are encouraged to use e-wallet applications for a convenient and cashless way to donate to charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), says Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The Deputy Prime Minister said e-wallet application Boost, which rolled out its e-donation feature in May last year, played an important role in creating sustainable opportunities for the people to contribute to good causes.

Boost, which was developed by Axiata Digital Services Sdn Bhd, had within a year of launching the e-donation feature donated a total of RM317,000 via the Boost platform benefitting 32 NGOs, charities, and organisations, she said.

“Boost's built-in e-donation feature is a great example of how technology can play a role in mobilising the rakyat to become more socially responsible, help inculcate the habit of giving back and working towards a common good.

“I am also encouraged to hear that Boost is currently supporting 81 religious institutions in providing an alternative cashless channel for donations and assisting these institutions become more digital-savvy,” she said in her speech at Boost's e-donation programme at Axiata Tower on Saturday (May 25).

At the event, the National Welfare Foundation (YKN), a charitable fund under the purview of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, was also introduced as the newest partner organisation to be part of Boost's e-donation family.

Axiata Digital Services chief executive officer (CEO) Mohd Khairil Abdullah said that the e-donation feature is a low cost means of collecting donations conveniently, securely and transparently.

“To date, over half a million ringgit in cashless donations have been collected. While the figure is still relatively small, there is indeed a newfound acceptance in digital donations,” said Mohd Khairil.

Axiata Group Berhad president and CEO Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim said that the company was confident that e-donation will be able to mobilise more people to contribute to the community.

“We look forward to make it more accessible for the rakyat to connect to causes close to their hearts,” he said.

In the e-donation list, there are over 30 charity and NGO partners ranging from education, environment, cancer research, social and animal welfare as well as 81 religious institutions.

Among them include Make-A-Wish Malaysia, Persatuan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Istimewa Selangor (ORKIDS) and participating mosques such as Masjid Al-Falah in USJ 9, Subang Jaya.

Last year, Boost also included the government's Tabung Harapan in its list of organisations that users could donate to.

While it was not revealed how much was collected via Boost for Tabung Harapan, more than RM202mil had been pumped into the fund, which was started to help the government manage debts left by the previous administration.

Boost is available for download on Android's Play Store and iOS App Store.