TM is providing its customers with free LTE hotspot pass and a 7-day unlimited data pass

by S BIRRUNTHA/ pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

MALAYSIAN telecommunication companies (telcos) and service providers have taken the initiative to ensure that customers stay connected during the Movement Control Order (MCO) by offering free unlimited data access to telco users, as well as discounts on bill payments for Malaysians.

Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) said it will continually monitor the developments of the situation and adapt its services to help customers, whenever needed.

For the time being, the company is providing free LTE hotspot pass for Unifi Mobile postpaid users and a seven-day unlimited data pass for Unifi BEBAS prepaid customers.

“In addition, Unifi TV subscribers can also stay entertained with free access to all channels, including premium channels and Unifi PlayTV,” it said in a statement yesterday.

TM is also offering a 20% discount for all Video-on-Demand titles in its HyppFlicks Plus category.

However, TM has yet to decide on the payment bill discounts for its services such as unifi and other services.

With that, TM has also announced that its customer service centres nationwide will start operating from 7am to 9pm, effective March 26.

It added that this is in line with the MCO period which has been extended until April 14, 2020.

Celcom Axiata Bhd has also announced that its customers are given seven days extended payment period to pay their bill. This is an extra week from their current due date.

Other telcos such as Maxis Bhd, Digi.Com Bhd, U Mobile Sdn Bhd, redONE Network Sdn Bhd and Tune Talk Sdn Bhd are also providing free data and voice calls minutes for both prepaid and postpaid users during this MCO period.

Customers are encouraged to visit their website to find out the promotions and discounts as each of them has implemented different cost-saving methods for their users.

Meanwhile, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd said it has not decided on the discounts on water bills as of now.

“We will announce it soon if there is any update. So far, we are committed to ensure that the supply of clean water is provided without interruption during this MCO period,” its spokesperson told The Malaysian Reserve yesterday.

The water provider also said it has formed a special team to share the latest information on Covid-19 from time to time in the effort to curb the spread of Covid-19.

On another note, OCBC Bank (M) Bhd, together with its Islamic banking subsidiary OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd, has announced that it will absorb the RM1 automated teller machine (ATM) cash withdrawal fee levied to its customers for using another bank’s ATM in the country.

OCBC Bank head of consumer financial services Lim Wyson said the initiative is part of the bank’s concerted efforts to encourage people to comply with the MCO.

“By absorbing the RM1 cash withdrawal fee, we are removing yet another hurdle to getting people home more quickly,” he said in a statement.

Lim added that to minimise the use of ATMs beyond when absolutely necessary, customers should consider using their credit or debit cards, which will reduce the number of unnecessary trips to an ATM.

Previously, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah mentioned a 2% deduction would be given to the people on their electric bills from April 1 to Sept 30, 2020.

This also included a 15% deduction, which would be given to six selected business sectors under the Trade Tariff category.

The discount is expected to benefit approximately 1.6 million Tenaga Nasional Bhd account holders with electricity bill savings estimated at RM370 million for the six months’ period.