DuitNow charges: Consumers worry about possible price increase

SHAH ALAM - Users of the QR DuitNow application are concerned that traders may increase prices following the implementation of transaction fees starting on Nov 1.

A survey by Sinar found that the consumers were worried that the fees imposed by DuitNow operator PayNet would end up being passed on to them through higher prices for goods or services.

Private sector worker Mohd Faiz Rafezin, 25 said the service should make transactions between buyers and sellers easier because it was safer and eliminated the need to carry a lot of cash.

"However, it should not be an excuse for traders to raise prices.

"It's easier to pay for food using a QR pay, but when it was announced that traders would be charged a transaction fee, it become a burden for them and for us (customers).

"This might be an excuse for food sellers to charge more than they should.

"Even if it's just an additional 50 cents or RM1, customers will think multiple times before buying," he told Sinar.

Restaurant supervisor Tuti Aryati Karna Hidayat, 24, however, said she preferred to pay online because it Was faster and more convenient.

She added that if traders dd indeed raised prices due to the DuitNow transaction fee, customers could still visit other stores to get a better price.

"I am worried that traders will raise food prices.

"I understand they have no other choice, but hopefully it won't be too expensive," she said.

Meanwhile, private sector employee Maisyarah Ali, 23 said that if traders wanted to raise prices, she might not buy the items as she wanted to save money.

"If food or goods increase in price, up to RM1 or RM2 might be enough, but if it is more than that, I will not spend money in this uncertain economic situation," she added.

For restaurant worker Nur Azirah Asri, 24, small traders charging high fees did not affect her because she believed that the quality of a product or service was more important than the price.

"I don't care about the price. Let's say I'm used to eating at a particular restaurant.

“Just because they raised the price a little, does that mean I won't buy there?

"They are also trapped in this situation. We, as contributors to their sales, need to show support," she explained.