Cover L to R: Farhan Ahmad, group CEO, PayNet; Dato’ Sri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, governor, Bank Negara Malaysia; Douglas Feagin, president, Ant International forging a new chapter for DuitNow
L to R: Farhan Ahmad, group CEO, PayNet; Dato’ Sri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, governor, Bank Negara Malaysia; Douglas Feagin, president, Ant International forging a new chapter for DuitNow
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Malaysians will soon be able to use their favourite e-wallets and banking apps at more than 100 million merchants worldwide, as PayNet and Ant International expand their DuitNow QR partnership to boost tourism, strengthen security, nurture talent and drive sustainable growth
Malaysian travellers will soon enjoy a new level of convenience when shopping, dining or travelling overseas. Through an expanded partnership between Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) and Ant International, users of DuitNow QR-enabled e-wallets and banking apps will be able to make payments at more than 100 million Alipay+ merchants worldwide.
The milestone was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at MyFintech Week 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, witnessed by Bank Negara Malaysia Governor, Dato’ Sri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour. The renewed agreement not only enables DuitNow’s global acceptance but also deepens collaboration in four key areas: cross-border tourism, fraud prevention, talent development and sustainability.
DuitNow QR expands beyond borders
DuitNow QR has become a core feature of Malaysia’s payments landscape, with more than 2.6 million merchants nationwide already accepting payments from both Malaysians and international visitors via Alipay+. The new outbound linkage significantly expands its reach, allowing Malaysians to pay abroad using their preferred local apps, without the hassle of currency exchanges or unfamiliar payment systems.
Above Malaysian tourist in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia can now use their preferred mobile banking or mobile wallet app to scan QRIS (Indonesia), NETS (Singapore), PromptPay (Thailand), and Bakong (Cambodia) QR code when making payments to participating merchants
Malaysian tourist in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia can now use their preferred mobile banking or mobile wallet app to scan QRIS (Indonesia), NETS (Singapore), PromptPay (Thailand), and Bakong (Cambodia) QR code when making payments to participating merchants
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Douglas Feagin, president of Ant International, said the company was proud to be part of Malaysia’s digital economy journey: “Ant International is honoured to have been a contributor to Malaysia’s innovation and growth story for over a decade, thanks to the country’s visionary digital economy agenda and support of industry leaders like PayNet. We are committed to deepening our investments and partnerships in Malaysia, to help strengthen its position as a key fintech hub in Southeast Asia, and drive inclusive growth in the region and beyond with world-class innovation and entrepreneurship.”
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Boosting tourism and supporting SMEs
The partnership aims to bolster Malaysia’s goal of welcoming 45 million tourists by 2026 under the Visit Malaysia campaign. By enabling seamless cashless payments, tourists will find it easier to spend in local businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
This builds on the success of the 2023 MoU, which allowed international Alipay+ users to pay Malaysian merchants via DuitNow QR. That integration has already helped funnel tourist spending into the local economy, strengthening SMEs’ visibility and reach. The latest agreement scales this success outward, turning Malaysian consumers into global spenders while giving local businesses greater exposure to international travellers.
Farhan Ahmad, Group CEO of PayNet, highlighted the broader impact: “Ant International is a global payments leader and this next phase of our partnership demonstrates the strength of Malaysia’s national payment infrastructure and our ability to scale it globally. Not only will this partnership drive global acceptance of our DuitNow payments, it is the beginning of a deep collaboration around reducing fraud, developing future-ready talent, and building a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient digital global payments ecosystem – one that benefits Malaysians at home and while travelling, as well as tourists visiting our country.”
Above Making payments while travelling overseas is seamless
Making payments while travelling overseas is seamless
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Strengthening security with AI
As cross-border payments expand, fraud prevention is a top priority. PayNet and Ant International will collaborate on advanced security systems, including AI-powered defence technologies, threat intelligence sharing and fraud risk audits. These measures aim to safeguard consumers and businesses from evolving digital payment risks while preserving the seamlessness of the payment experience.
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Investing in future-ready talent
Both organisations are also focusing on building the next generation of fintech leaders. Initiatives such as PayHack, Malaysia’s largest intervarsity hackathon, provide platforms for students to test ideas, connect with industry experts and gain practical mentorship. Ant International is also contributing through programmes like 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion and its Digital Business Centre in Kuala Lumpur, working closely with PayNet and the Fintech Association of Malaysia to cultivate talent for the broader ecosystem.
Above DuitNow QR has become a core feature of Malaysia’s payments landscape, with more than 2.6 million merchants nationwide already accepting payments from both Malaysians and international visitors via Alipay+
DuitNow QR has become a core feature of Malaysia’s payments landscape, with more than 2.6 million merchants nationwide already accepting payments from both Malaysians and international visitors via Alipay+
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Driving sustainability in payments
In addition to payments and security, the partnership is turning its attention towards sustainability and social impact initiatives. These efforts will focus on SME inclusion, accessibility of technology, and embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles within the payments ecosystem. By aligning innovation with sustainability, the collaboration aims to ensure that digital transformation benefits the wider community, not just the fintech sector.
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A global future for DuitNow
With PayNet’s trusted infrastructure and Ant International’s global merchant network, the new MoU cements Malaysia’s position at the forefront of regional fintech innovation. Malaysians will soon be able to travel abroad with confidence, using the same payment apps they rely on at home, while local businesses gain more opportunities from international visitors.
From powering cross-border interoperability to nurturing future talent and advancing digital security, the partnership lays the groundwork for a more inclusive global economy, in which Malaysia plays a leading role.
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Images: DuitNow
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