What is DuitNow and how to use it in Malaysia

DuitNow¹ launched first in Malaysia back in 2018, but as more banks, providers and users have signed up - and more services have been added - it’s getting more and more common. If you’ve never used DuitNow, you’re probably wondering: what is DuitNow and how does it work?

This guide has you covered with all about how to use DuitNow, the different services on offer and a look at how to set up DuitNow with a few of our biggest banks. We'll also introduce the Wise account, a handy companion to make your money go further with low, transparent fees.

What is DuitNow?

DuitNow is a Malaysian money transfer service which allows real-time payments between locally registered bank accounts.

It’s operated by PayNet², which is Malaysia’s national payments network, responsible for everything from ATM networks and FPX to supporting bill payments, direct debits and cheque clearing. Bank Negara Malaysia is the biggest shareholder of PayNet, so you know it’s a well-organised and fully regulated provider.

With DuitNow, you can send an instant transfer to a friend or business using just a mobile phone number, IC or business registration number. That means no need to carry cash and no need to look for bank account details when you need to make a payment. You can also pay merchants by scanning a simple QR code, request money, and receive payments directly into your bank account. More on the key DuitNow services available in Malaysia coming right up.

How to use DuitNow

Let’s move on to how DuitNow works. As we mentioned, there are several DuitNow services available:

• DuitNow transfer
• DuitNow QR
• DuitNow request³
• DuitNow cross-border⁴

We’ll look at DuitNow transfers, how to use a DuitNow QR code and how to receive money from DuitNow in more detail in a moment, as these are key services. Aside from these options, there’s also a cross-border service which is currently being rolled out.

DuitNow’s cross-border QR network has grown quite a bit, so it’s no longer just a Malaysia-only payment option. Visitors from countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, China, Cambodia and South Korea can use supported payment apps to pay participating merchants in Malaysia.

Malaysians can also use participating banking and e-wallet apps to make QR payments in places including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and China, with Cambodia coming soon. Availability still depends on the country, provider and merchant, but PayNet is continuing to expand the network.¹⁰

And if you’re wondering more generally where you can use DuitNow, well, DuitNow is supported by a wide range of participating Malaysian banks and e-wallets. These include major banks as well as providers such as Touch ’n Go eWallet, GrabPay, BigPay and Setel.

DuitNow transfer⁵

To make a DuitNow transfer, all you’ll need to do is link your bank account to your mobile phone number, IC or other unique identifier. And best of all, the DuitNow transfer time is pretty much instant, so your money arrives almost as soon as you confirm the payment.

Most banks then have DuitNow embedded into their online and mobile banking systems, so making a payment is as simple as logging into your account and following a few steps. We’ll look at the processes with a few banks later, but this is the basic outline of what you’ll need to do:

1. Log into your bank’s online or mobile banking app, or your e-wallet.
2. Select DuitNow Transfer.
3. Enter the recipient’s DuitNow ID, such as their mobile number, NRIC, passport number or business registration number.
4. Check the recipient’s registered name and enter the payment amount.
5. Review the details and authorise the transfer using your bank’s security method.
6. Once confirmed, the funds are transferred instantly.

DuitNow transfers are free to use for payments up to 5,000 MYR, and land instantly in the recipient’s account. If you’re sending more than 5,000 MYR, there may be a small fee - but many banks waive this charge.¹¹

DuitNow transfer limits do apply. Individuals can transfer up to 50,000 MYR per transaction - although your own bank and account may have lower limits than this.¹²

DuitNow QR⁶

When you’re paying a merchant, you can also do so through the DuitNow QR. In this case, you’ll simply need to scan the merchant’s DuitNow QR to make a payment through your preferred bank account or e-wallet.

DuitNow QRs are compatible with lots of different banks and e-wallets, so merchants don’t need to display multiple QRs to get paid. For you as the consumer, it’s even easier:

1. Open the banking app or e-wallet you want to pay with.
2. Scan the merchant’s DuitNow QR.
3. Check the details and confirm to pay.
4. You’ll get a confirmation that the payment has gone through successfully.

How to receive money from DuitNow

Before you can receive a payment through DuitNow, you’ll need to register your account by adding your phone number, IC or other unique identifier to your preferred bank account. We’ll look at how to do that in more detail later.

Once your account is set up, you don’t actually need to take any action to get paid through DuitNow. Give the sender your phone number or IC information and your money will be automatically and instantly deposited into your account.

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Sending money internationally?

DuitNow is super convenient for everyday payments in Malaysia, with some cross-border support too, including transfers to Singapore through the DuitNow–PayNow linkage. But if you need to send money to a wider range of countries or currencies, Wise gives you more options for international transfers and spending.

Wise international money transfers use the real exchange rate with no markup and no hidden fees. There’s just a low, transparent charge per transaction - and you’ll instantly be able to see how much your recipient will get and when your money is likely to arrive.

If you travel a lot or shop internationally, you can save even more with the Wise multi-currency account and card. Open your account online to hold and exchange 40+ currencies, and spend all over the world with the real exchange rate. You can even get paid in MYR to your Wise account with DuitNow. Add funds yourself, or have someone else send you a DuitNow payment, which you can then convert and spend or send on as you wish.

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How to register DuitNow

Let’s take a look now at how to register for DuitNow and use the service at some of the most popular partnering banks.

DuitNow Maybank⁷

Let’s look first at how to register for DuitNow on the MAE app:

1. Open the MAE app.
2. Select Me on the side menu.
3. Tap DuitNow, then Register.
4. Enter the details following the prompts, and choose the account you want to link.
5. Tap Done.

Once you have registered your DuitNow account, you can make payments in just a few taps, too:

1. Open the MAE app.
2. Click Transfer, then Transfer via DuitNow.
3. Choose the account you want to pay from.
4. Tap New Transfer, then follow the prompts to add your recipient’s information.
5. Enter the amount you want to transfer and a recipient reference.
6. Tap Continue.

1. Complete the verification step to complete the payment.

DuitNow CIMB⁸

You can use DuitNow through the CIMB OCTO App or CIMB Clicks Web. Here’s how to register your DuitNow ID using the CIMB OCTO App:

1. Open the CIMB OCTO App and log in.
2. Tap More.
3. Select Services, then Manage DuitNow.
4. Tap DuitNow ID.
5. Select the DuitNow ID you want to register and the account you want to link it to.
6. Follow the prompts to complete the registration.

To make a payment, you’ll need to:

1. Open the CIMB OCTO App and log in.
2. Select Transfer/DuitNow.
3. Enter the recipient’s DuitNow ID, such as their mobile number or NRIC.
4. Enter the transfer amount and other required details.
5. Check the recipient and transfer information.
6. Approve the transaction using SecureTAC.

RHB DuitNow⁹

Here’s how to use DuitNow in the RHB Mobile Banking App. First, register your DuitNow ID:

1. Log in to the RHB Mobile Banking App.
2. Go to Settings, then Account.
3. Select DuitNow.
4. Choose the DuitNow ID you want to register.
5. Link it to your preferred RHB current or savings account.
6. Review the details and submit the registration.

To make a payment¹³:

1. Log in to the RHB Mobile Banking App.
2. Select DuitNow/Transfer.
3. Choose the type of DuitNow ID you want to use, such as a mobile number or NRIC.
4. Enter the recipient’s DuitNow ID and transfer details.
5. Review the payment details and submit the transfer.

Can tourists use DuitNow QR in Malaysia?

Yes. Even without a local bank account, you may still be able to scan and pay with DuitNow QR using a supported app from your home country.

The apps available depend on where you’re from⁴:

That can make everyday payments much easier if you’re travelling around Malaysia without access to a local bank account.

You can also use Wise if you’re eligible. The Wise app lets you scan supported DuitNow QR codes directly, while showing any applicable fees before you confirm the payment.

Wise also supports Alipay+ QR payments for eligible customers from the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and Brazil when travelling outside their home country¹⁴.

Paying with Wise only takes a few steps:

1. Open Wise and tap Scan from the Home tab, or use the QR code icon from the Card tab.
2. Scan the QR code, or upload one using Photo or Document.
3. Add the amount if required and review the fees.
4. Confirm the payment.

Once it’s done, the transaction will appear in your Wise history.

So whether you’re paying for a meal, a drink or something from a local market, you may be able to leave the cash in your wallet and pay by QR instead.

Don’t want to rely on cash in Malaysia? Get QR payments sorted before you go. Use Wise to scan DuitNow and Alipay+ QR codes and pay at food stalls, markets and smaller shops that don’t take cards.

*For product availability and more information, visit wi.se/pay-qr.

If you’re a Wise user in Malaysia, Alipay+ QR payments are only available in supported countries when you’re abroad.

Manage Money Globally in One Account with Wise

DuitNow is a very easy way to send local payments to friends, family, businesses and even government organisations. Getting set up is easy, and it’s supported by pretty much all of Malaysia’s large banks.

For everyday payments in Malaysia, DuitNow covers a lot: you can send money, pay merchants and request payments all in one place. It also supports transfers between Malaysia and Singapore through the DuitNow-PayNow linkage. If you’re sending money beyond that, though, Wise gives you access to a wider range of international transfers, with fees and exchange rates shown upfront.

🚀 Get Started with Wise

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Sources:

1. Duitnow
2. PayNet
3. DuitNow request
4. DuitNow cross border
5. DuitNow transfer
6. DuitNow QR
7. DuitNow Maybank
8. DuitNow CIMB
9. RHB DuitNow
10. DuitNow cross-border QR payments
11. DuitNow transfer fees
12. DuitNow transfer limits
13. DuitNow RHB send and receive money
14. Wise - How can I pay with a QR code?