The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has instructed Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd to change the name of their new and controversial Visa card to avoid confusing consumers.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said that an engagement session was held between KPDN and officials from the Ministry of Public Works, the Malaysian Highway Authority, the Malaysian Competition Commission, and representatives of the Touch ‘n Go Company (TnG).
The Special Task Force meeting was chaired by KPDN Secretary General Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof. Various issues related to services offered especially to highway users were discussed.
Salahuddin said that Touch ‘n Go has been instructed to take immediate action as follows:
- Increase the number of TnG card sales centers and card services in locations other than the existing centers in KL Sentral and Bangsar.
- Advocacy and early notification to users that their card period will expire.
- Improving methods and speeding up the process and period of refunds and balance transfers.
- Advocacy to explain to users that the TnG visa card is only for the purpose of purchasing goods and services and withdrawing money where the visa card is accepted. This card cannot be used for the purpose of paying tolls and public transport. The government recommends that the name of the visa card be changed so as not to confuse users since the word “Touch ‘n Go” is synonymous with the toll payment system.
- Instructions have been issued to online market service providers to remove advertisements selling TnG cards from third parties that do not have permission to sell from the TnG company.
- TNG was also given one week to produce the next follow-up action plan.
During the meeting, Salahuddin said that there were a few concerns that were discussed:
- Difficulty in obtaining TnG cards and Smart Tag devices in the market.
- TnG Card expiry period that users don’t notice especially for those who use MyKad.
- Difficulty getting a refund of the remaining money on their TnG cards.
- The balance transfer process to the new TnG Card takes a long time.
- Issues related to the use of the TnG Visa Card, especially for toll payments.
- The sale of TnG cards on online platforms by third parties at multiples of the price.
- The problem of routing in the RFID lane.
- Difficulty refilling TnG balance.
The KPDN Enforcement Division will take legal action against any party that sells TNG cards above the price set by the issuer under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub
He also mentioned that the Ministry of Public Works (KKR) is examining the implementation period for the use of toll payment using the RFID system in full at all toll plazas and concession companies need to immediately improve the capabilities of RFID scanning technology to avoid congestion.
