Bank Negara Malaysia, together with the Financial Education Network (FEN) and the financial industry, is hosting Karnival Celik Kewangan (KCK) in Kuching, Sarawak. This event takes place from 15 to 17 November 2024 at Vivacity Megamall and was officiated by Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Premier of Sarawak, on behalf of Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak.

KCK Sarawak marks the end of the Financial Literacy Month 2024. During this month, FEN's Skuad Celik Kewangan travelled to over 90 locations on a nationwide roadshow from 1 October to 10 November 2024. The roadshow focused on engaging the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students, microentrepreneurs, Orang Asli and low-income groups. Throughout FLM 2024, FEN offered free financial education resources, helping Malaysians to improve their financial well-being.

KCK Sarawak is expected to attract 20,000 visitors and serves as a one-stop hub for the public in Kuching to get advice on their rights and responsibilities as financial consumers and to learn about the latest trends in financial management.

Additionally, exhibition booths at the KCK Sarawak provide a wide range of resources. The event also features interactive activities like pocket talks, lucky draws, a Fun Run, a financial literacy cosplay competition and a mini concert.

Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Douglas emphasised the efforts of Sarawak Government and BNM to support the digital economy and financial inclusion agenda, including promoting e-payments and cashless wallets, as well as establishing physical access points to serve the population better. He highlighted that, ‘Pasar Serikin, Sarawak is now the first cashless border market in Malaysia through an initiative by BNM, Paynet, financial institutions and the Bau District Office.  This initiative not only generates economic improvements for the local community, but also helps to increase financial literacy levels among the rural communities in Serikin and their readiness to embrace the digital economy.’

Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Dato’ Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour highlighted that, ‘Recent findings from Bank Negara Malaysia’s Financial Capability and Inclusion Survey 2024 estimates that around 92% of Malaysians use digital financial services. Indeed, these developments create new economic opportunities for the people, such as gig workers and online businesses. However, while technology facilitates financial transactions, we must remain vigilant and equipped with sufficient knowledge to protect the security of financial transactions.’

KCK Sarawak also introduced ‘Program Pengurusan Kewangan Peribadi untuk Guru-Guru’ to equip teachers with financial literacy and personal development skills to enhance their capacity to deliver financial education in schools effectively. This train-the-trainers programme is a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors, involving the Ministry of Education. The pilot programme will start in Sarawak and will be expanded next year to reach over 5,000 teachers nationwide.

BNM Governor Dato’ Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour delivering his opening remarks at the launch of Karnival Celik Kewangan Sarawak at Vivacity Megamall, Kuching.

Dato' Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia; Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Premier of Sarawak; and Yang Berbahagia Datuk Haji Ruji bin Haji Ubi, Chief Secretary of Ministry of Education, officiating the Karnival Celik Kewangan Sarawak.

Financial Education Network

16 November 2024

About Financial Education Network (FEN)

Established in November 2016, FEN serves as an inter-agency platform to increase the impact of financial education initiatives and identify new opportunities to elevate financial literacy among Malaysians through greater alignment, closer collaboration and a strong focus on impact assessments. Its members include the Ministry of Education Malaysia, Ministry of Higher Education, Bank Negara Malaysia, Securities Commission Malaysia, Employees Provident Fund, Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit, Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia and Permodalan Nasional Berhad.