By ASILA JALIL
PERTAMA Digital Bhd’s (formerly Sinotop Holdings Bhd) digital bail payment solution, eJamin, reported a total of RM45.46 million in bail collections last year, with a monthly growth rate of 18.21%.
eJamin, which has been implemented in 133 courts nationwide, is expected to reach bail collections amounting to RM450 million this year.
It is Malaysia’s pioneer digital bail payment solution developed by Pertama Digital’s portfolio company Dapat Vista (M) Sdn Bhd and allows bailors to make payments online within a few minutes.
Dapat Vista CEO Amanda Sabri said they are working hard to ensure the system provides more convenience to the general public transacting at courts.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is speeding up the adoption of digital payments in many sectors of the economy, and this applies to bail payments too.
“We welcome the recent statement by the chief justice on enhancement of technology usage within the court environment.
“Now that our systems are stabilised and widespread, people can look towards phasing out the traditional way of paying bail and fully using eJamin,” Amanda said in a statement yesterday.
She said the reimplementation of the Movement Control Order contributes to courts’ objective in ensuring that bail transactions can be processed as usual.
Dapat Vista is now in the middle of developing a new feature that allows direct transfer of bail refunds to settle fines imposed by courts. It is slated to launch in the first quarter of 2021.
Pertama Digital ED Sabri Ab Rahman said there has been great support for eJamin by the Malaysian judiciary as the courts have been adopting digital processes even before the pandemic hits the country.
As for Pertama Digital, it is mulling plans to expand the digital bail system for police remands and the Shariah criminal courts.
Sabri said the group is seeking cooperation from banks to lift the FPX transfer limit on eJamin transactions to enable full adoption.
“Bail amounts in Malaysia can range from a few thousand up to a million or more. Today, there is a payment transfer limit per transaction,” he added.
Pertama Digital’s share price closed unchanged at 40 sen yesterday, valuing the company at RM171.18 million.