“Senang banget”: QR payments make shopping easier at Serikin border market

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By Shikin Louis

BAU, May 24: Visitors to Serikin Border Market no longer have to worry about running out of cash while shopping at the popular weekend bazaar, as more traders are now accepting QR code payments following efforts to transform the market into Malaysia’s first cashless border market.

Previously, many shoppers visiting the weekend market near the Sarawak-Indonesia border had to rely entirely on physical cash, often limiting how much they could spend once their money ran out.

Today, however, QR payment options are becoming increasingly common among traders, allowing visitors to shop more conveniently without needing to withdraw large amounts of cash beforehand.

Among the traders embracing the digital payment system is Ramadi, 34, from Singkawang, who sells various types of kerepek (crisps) sourced from Indonesia every weekend.

Ramadi, who has been trading at the market since 2007, said he started using QR payments about five to six months ago after bank representatives approached his shop at the market.

“A team from the bank came to see us and promote the digital payment system. We agreed to participate as we were convinced that adopting this system would help us grow our business.

“At the time, we only needed to provide our passport for registration,” he said when met today.

According to him, many traders were initially unfamiliar with the digital payment system, but gradually became more confident after receiving assistance from bank officers.

Every weekend, Ramadi crosses the border to sell snack products from Singkawang to visitors flocking to the bustling market.

Fresh produce trader Riono Lamiri, 43, from Sambas, said QR payments have also made transactions easier for customers.

Operating at the market for the past five years with five workers, Riono said he began using QR payments about a year ago after banks introduced the system to traders.

“Senang banget menggunakan QR (It is very convenient using QR),” he said.

Originally from Sambas, Riono sells fresh produce sourced from across Indonesia, including Singkawang.

Among the items sold at his stall are limau susu, limau manis, limau madu, salak madu, dragon fruits, and avocados.

The stall also offers freshly made juices prepared directly from their produce, including their popular original “es limau perah” (fresh squeezed lime juice), which customers can customise with asam boi (preserved plum).

However, despite growing adoption among traders, many stalls at the bustling weekend market still rely entirely on cash transactions.

Nia, 22, from Sanggau, who works at a small clothing stall, said her employer remains hesitant about switching to QR payments.

According to her, the employer believes cash transactions are easier to monitor and manage, especially when handling daily sales records.

“Having cash on hand also makes it easier to provide change for customers still paying with physical money, while allowing employers to distribute wages directly to workers at the end of each business day,” she explained.

Still, the growing number of traders adopting QR payments is gradually reshaping the shopping experience at Serikin, giving visitors greater flexibility to shop without being constrained by the amount of cash they carry.