{"id":263519,"date":"2026-02-02T05:49:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T05:49:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/263519\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T05:49:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T05:49:23","slug":"its-just-1-sen-but-is-it-legal-malaysians-question-rounding-up-practice-for-cashless-payment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/263519\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s Just 1 Sen\u2014But Is It Legal? Malaysians Question Rounding Up Practice For Cashless Payment"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A shopper is crying foul after being charged RM14 for something that costs RM13.99\u2014because of a mysterious one sen \u201crounding\u201d fee when paying by cashless at a popular mini-market chain.<\/p>\n

Threads user vodoo2k shared a receipt showing a purchase of Moccona Kopi Klasik 50g priced at RM13.99, with a \u201cRounding Adjustment\u201d of RM0.01 added, bringing the total to RM14.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would understand if I\u2019m paying cash, but using an e-wallet? Boleh jer charged RM13.99 kan?? Ke camner?\u201d the user wrote, tagging the mini-market in the post.<\/p>\n

The receipt, dated 30 January, shows that the transaction was paid with a Visa card.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Just 1 Sen? \u2018It Adds Up,\u2019 Say Concerned Shoppers<\/p>\n

The post has drawn mixed reactions, with people questioning whether the practice is legal for electronic payments.<\/p>\n

One commenter asked: \u201cIf it\u2019s like this, can we report to KPDN (Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry)? It seems worthless at 1 sen, but when you think about the case of stealing 1 sen from banks, it adds up.\u201d<\/p>\n

The reference appears to be about cases where small amounts, when multiplied across thousands of transactions, can add up to significant sums.<\/p>\n

However, others defended the practice, saying it aligns with Bank Negara Malaysia\u2019s (BNM) rounding policy.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, others claimed the practice extends beyond the mini-market chain, suggesting this isn\u2019t an isolated incident but a recurring complaint among Malaysian shoppers.<\/p>\n

What Are The Actual Rules?<\/p>\n

Under\u00a0BNM\u2019s Payment Rounding Mechanism<\/a>\u00a0introduced in 2007, cash transactions are rounded to the nearest 5 sen to eliminate the need for 1-sen coins.<\/p>\n

The rounding rules are:<\/p>\n

1 sen and 2 sen round down to 0 sen<\/p>\n

3 sen and 4 sen round up to 5 sen<\/p>\n

6 sen and 7 sen round down to 5 sen<\/p>\n

8 sen and 9 sen round up to 10 sen<\/p>\n

While BNM\u2019s rounding mechanism document refers to \u201cover-the-counter payments\u201d and specifically mentions reducing demand for 1-sen coins, it does not explicitly state \u201ccash only\u201d, though the context strongly suggests it was intended for physical currency transactions.<\/p>\n

Given the context at that time \u201cover-the-counter\u201d typically referred to in-person transactions at a counter or cashier, predominantly involving cash payments.<\/p>\n

Shoppers who believe they have been incorrectly charged can:<\/p>\n

Request clarification from the retailer at the point of sale<\/p>\n

File a complaint with the KPDN<\/p>\n

Report the matter to BNM if it involves payment system violations<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Share your thoughts with us via TRP\u2019s\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>, or\u00a0Threads<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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