The never-ending rivalry between Malaysia and Singapore across various categories has always been highly entertaining. While some take these debates seriously, others engage purely for fun. The neighbouring countries have sparred over food, airport services, and even the cost of living. Now, a new contender has entered the ring: Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
Over the weekend, a Singaporean man was surprised to discover a feature of Malaysian ATMs that apparently doesn’t exist in Singapore. So, what did he have to say about the service? Let’s find out:
Former NTUC Income CEO Tan Kin Lian recently visited Penang, possibly on holiday, as he was seen at several popular tourist hotspots around the state. During his trip, he shared his thoughts on the food, services, and prices of various items, but the one thing that immediately caught his attention upon arrival was the ATM at Senai Airport.
The businessman needed to withdraw some cash and used the first ATM he came across, which was a Bank Muamalat ATM. He was surprised to find that the machine supported the Malaysian Electronic Payment System (MEPS), allowing him to easily withdraw money directly from his Maybank account. “I had to pay RM1 as a service charge. I don’t mind paying this fee, as it saves me the trouble of searching for my bank’s ATM. This is more efficient than asking individual banks to install their own machines,” he wrote.
The politician also informed his followers that these machines are widely available at petrol stations and convenience stores across Malaysia, allowing customers to withdraw cash for a RM1 service fee. “Singapore does not have this arrangement. It leads to higher operating costs in Singapore,” he added.
Tan Kin Lian’s post caught the attention of many Singaporeans, with some agreeing that the MEPS service in Malaysia is indeed convenient. However, others pointed out that certain ATMs in Singapore do offer a similar feature without any fees. A few also suggested that the businessman should go cashless, as it would save him the hassle of withdrawing cash.
Do you agree with Tan Kin Lian’s opinions?
Source: Facebook
