Merchantrade Asia has officially been approved as an Issuer of a Designated Payment Instrument in Sabah, adding to the company’s earlier clearance for Peninsular Malaysia and marking a major step forward in expanding digital wage solutions across the country.
The approval was granted by the Minister of Human Resources under the Sabah Labour Ordinance and takes effect on December 1, 2025. With 7.4 million hectares of land spanning plantations and remote worksites, this means the shift away from cash-based salary payments is more than a convenience and instead, a safety necessity.
Employers have long relied on cash because foreign workers often travel great distances just to access banking services, creating security risks for both sides. Merchantrade’s payroll portal and Merchantrade Money e-wallet offer a direct digital alternative, enabling secure wage disbursements, instant remittance, and daily transaction safety, while still giving workers the option to withdraw cash via linked VISA cards.
In addition to this, the Merchantrade Money e-wallet also includes remittances, mobile top-ups, micro-insurance, and QR payments, strengthening its position as a comprehensive financial tool for workers and employers alike.
