The government has approved the addition of four new Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) mobile banking units next year to improve access to financial services in rural areas across Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang and Perak.
In a statement, the Finance Ministry said the expansion will increase the total number of mobile banking units nationwide to 20, benefiting rural communities including over one million recipients of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) aid programme.
The ministry also encouraged the public to adopt digital banking for safer and more convenient transactions anytime, anywhere. It added that efforts are underway to widen digital banking coverage in rural areas to ensure equitable access to financial services for all Malaysians.
The written reply, posted on the Parliament website, was issued in response to a question from Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau (PH–Tuaran), who requested updates on plans to enhance banking and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) services in Tenghilan, Nabalu, Kiulu, Tamparuli, Taman Sri Rugading, Berungis and Tuaran.
Currently, 11 mobile banking units operate in Sabah—six managed by BSN, three by Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia, and two by Agrobank.
On EPF services, the ministry noted that Sabah is served by eight EPF branches supported by three mobile counters. It added that the government remains committed to improving coverage and accessibility in the Tuaran area to support members’ retirement security.
