There is confusion among Government ministers about the idea of transitioning to cashless trans­actions, triggering mixed public reactions.

Over the weekend, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services had posted on its Facebook page a public no­tice that from June 3, the ministry will no longer accept payments made with cash or cheques.

EPTOS, M-PAiSA and My Cash are the only accept­ able methods of payment at all Ministry of Health revenue collecting offices/stations, was stated on the notice.

This is in line with the Government initiative for a cashless system to ensure effective man­agement of public funds as well as to promote transparency and accountability, it further stated.

When queried yesterday outside Parlia­ment, the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, said the idea would be put on hold for now because Parliament had not passed it yet.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu. Photo: Leon Lord

“Until proper process is being followed, they will have to consult banks and then proceed with it,” Dr Ratu Atonio said.

“It has not been confirmed yet; the public needs to be made aware first.”

Minister for Finance Biman Prasad said there were still people, including those in rural areas, who could not embrace cashless transactions yet.

He said Government was considering that too, adding it would take time.

“As a Government, we have not issued a blanket policy and we have asked those who have decided to go cashless to allow cash and other systems including cheques for payments,” Mr Biman said.

“In the meantime, we got to allow both systems. A lot of online payment systems are available. A lot of people are using that, and it will be inevitable in the long term that people will make the transition, but we can’t just stop everything now and go cashless.”

Mr Prasad added it was important to review these changes because of potential risks, such as scams.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said no ministry had the authority to go forth with it.

“Proper consultation with the banks needs to be done first,” Mr Rabuka said.

“Nothing has been passed in cabinet yet, but we will address the public accordingly.”

The transition to cashless platforms is also met with a mix of apprehension from the public because of concerns about technological readiness, convenience, and equity, alongside acknowledgement of the inevitability of change and potential for improvement in financial systems.

Businesses and individuals
The Labasa Chamber of Commerce and Industries president, Vinesh Kumar, believed that innovation was vital for business sustainability, but suggested some traditional platforms must remain.

Mr Kumar explained hard cash payment systems must remain part of the payment options because a good share of the population still needed adequate technological training.

“For medical facilities and services, we must look at the readiness in terms of infrastructure of service providers,” Mr Kumar said.

“There should be more training especially for rural public health services, where villagers have time to learn and understand various payment options.”

He believes prior consultation and dialogue where public input their views must have the first resort to understanding complexities of such changes.

Market vendors
Labasa Market Vendors and Farmers Association president Salanieta Dikoila felt that it would impact senior citizens greatly.

“Many (senior) people do not possess smartphones to download the transfer apps for cashless transactions,” Ms Dikoila said.

Cane farmer from Lagalaga, Labasa, Yogendra Ram, feels the cashless transaction platform will confuse and place greater difficulty on those who are not familiar with technology.

“People feel comfortable with the traditional cash payment system, and I personally don’t support such cashless innovations,” he said.

Taxi operator Sujit Sharma said careful considerations must be explored before any cashless decision was made.

For taxi drivers like Mr Sharma, he said the traditional cash transaction was convenient.

“At times, there is poor reception and the M-PAiSA transfer does not happen on time. So, both time and effort are wasted in waiting,” he added.

Ratepayers
Narayan Reddy of Lautoka said people should be given the right to choose.

“How will Fiji manage in becoming a cashless society and freezing out of cheque books? he asked.

“I believe our people are not ready for it.

“Our internet in Fiji cannot be trusted. Every now and then it doesn’t work. I don’t trust any service provider.”

He believes more public consultations is required.

Churches
Assemblies of God Mt Zion Cathedral Church senior pastor, Seremaia Radrodro, said they have not used cashless transactions yet for tithes and offerings.

“Some Pentecostal ministries have introduced those payments to their members through M-PAiSA, MyCash and other methods of payments.”

Lautoka market vendor Mele Moalacinavilakeba, 65, said she doesn’t receive cash through M-PAiSA from her customers at the market.

“It will be difficult for people in my age for this cashless transaction,” she said.

“I am living here in the city, and it is difficult for me to use M-PAiSA or My Cash.”

However, a landowner and sugarcane farmer of Moto, Ba, Losana Nasokia, 63, welcomes the idea.

The mother of four said using the cheque was a hassle and view the need to sync with the new initiative as a mode of payment.

“A few weeks ago, I did receive a cheque from FSC on the recent cane payment,” Ms Nasokia said.

“As a norm that cheque will be cleared in 14 days.”

Farm director/owner Angie Prasad said it was time adapt to change.

“Everything is now on the phone,” Ms Prasad said.

“We need cashless transactions to keep us on par.

“We also know that change is inevitable, but we need to accept the change, which gives us a slice of betterment.”

Association of Banks
The Association of Banks in Fiji (ABIF), the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) clarified that reforms on the modernisation of Fiji’s payments system were progressing.

RBF Governor Ariff Ali said Fiji’s financial system had significantly progressed towards the establishment of electronic payment platforms through the reforms implemented over the last five years.

“This has brought about notable efficiency gains for households and businesses, placing Fiji at the forefront of digital payments and banking,” he said.

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