Press Release by YB Dato' Hj Nawawi on ICT Kedah (English Version)

KedahKad

In line with Kedah state government’s effort to establish a knowledge-based economy, an ICT initiative is underway to create a payment method using an electronic card specifically for state of Kedah. As a result, service standards in the state are expected to be enhanced.

The card will be introduced in multiple phases, and some of the proposed usages are as follow:

• As a stored value or cash card

The stored value can be reloaded and hence it can be used to purchase goods and services from various merchants in state of Kedah. For example, it can be used as a Touch&Go card, or it can be used to pay for ferry ticket to Langkawi or to purchase express bus tickets. 

• As a multi-purpose debit card, for bill payments in the state

Electronic payments for tax, public utilities and facilities, summons (traffic, etc), and many more.

• As a prepaid card in the travel package for tourists visiting Kedah, especially Langkawi

• To be used in payment transactions via ATMs, kiosks, as well as over-the-counter transactions in Government-to-Consumer (G2C), Government-to-Business (G2B), Business-to-Business (B2B), and Business-to-Consumer (B2C)

Since the card will be developed and used exclusively in state of Kedah only, it is proposed that the card to be named as “KedahKad”.

Among few other concepts, KedahKad is still under study between Kedah ICT Holdings Sdn Bhd, the state subsidiary which was given the authorization to implement ICT in Kedah, and i-Transact Technologies Sdn Bhd, a MSC based company specializing in e-Payments solutions, transaction security and software applications.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two parties will be signed during the launching of “Karnival ICT Negeri Kedah” from 8^th to 10^th June 2007 in Alor Setar. The MOU will open the way for the two parties to discuss and look into the concept of KedahKad, in a more detailed way.

The government of the state of Kedah is confident that KedahKad will bring the people of Kedah closer to the latest technologies offered by ICT, and will improve the lifestyle and economy of state of Kedah dynamically and progressively.

Translated by iTransact