KUALA LUMPUR: Merchantrade Asia Sdn Bhd (Merchantrade), a leading e-wallet and money services business operator, is now an approved issuer of a designated payment instrument (DPI) in Sabah.
This significant approval, formalised by the Minister of Human Resources under the Labour Ordinance of Sabah, complements Merchantrade’s existing approval for Peninsular Malaysia since August 1, 2024.
This new mandate for Sabah, effective 1st December 2025, allows employers in the state to utilise Merchantrade’s innovative solutions, such as their payroll portal and Merchantrade Money e-wallet, to manage wage payments for their foreign employees in full compliance with Malaysian labour laws.
Founder and managing director Ramasamy K Veeran said this authorisation for Sabah is a monumental step, strengthening Merchantrade as a leading service provider, driving the digital wage revolution, and supporting inclusive solutions, equipped with the right ecosystem of physical touchpoints to deliver our transformative solution seamlessly across Sabah.
Recognising the challenges employers face in managing traditional payroll for foreign workers, Merchantrade provides a one-stop solution for both employers and employees within an integrated ecosystem.
The Sabah approval is particularly critical given the state’s vast geographic and economic structure.
Sabah spans 7.4 million hectares, with approximately 1.7 million consisting of
plantations, presenting a real logistical challenge.
Due to Sabah’s magnitude, both workers and employers traditionally rely on cash for salary disbursement; workers often travel extremely long distances to open a bank account, so most employers, in turn, choose to use cash.
This poses a significant security risk for both parties.
The Merchantrade e-wallet is the ultimate digital answer, enabling direct salary
disbursements, instant remittance and improved security for everyday transactions.
Additionally, workers can still access cash via ATMs using their paired Visa cards, ensuring flexibility and inclusiveness.
The transition to digital wages brings transparency to wage payments, coupled with Merchantrade’s close collaboration with PERKESO to deliver social security protection payments directly to employees, ensuring faster, better financial transparency.
The Merchantrade Money e-wallet is a robust suite of features, including remittances, mobile top-ups, micro-insurance, and QR payments, catering specifically to the needs of the unbanked and migrant worker community.
