The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) president, Datuk Dr Marimuthu Nadason has urged Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to instruct all banks to replenish cash in their automated teller machines (ATMs). This comes as many ATMs in some parts of the country are reportedly running out of cash.

According to Datuk Dr Marimuthu, consumers – especially those in small towns and remote areas – have complained to FOMCA that they were not able to withdraw their money from some of the ATMs because the machines were out of cash.

“Since the online system and debit card services of several major banks were disrupted this week, many people turned to ATM machines for cash. However, many returned home frustrated because the ATM machines were reportedly out of cash,” Datuk Dr Marimuthu added. Earlier this week, there was a disruption to several of Maybank’s services, including its website, apps, and debit card usage. Bank Islam, too, suffered from similar problems.

As such, the president of FOMCA said that BNM must promptly address this issue of insufficient cash in ATMs, or people may be left cash-strapped during the upcoming Hari Raya break. He added that if there are further disruptions to online transactions, people may run out of cash to pay for their essentials during the holiday. 

Similarly, social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye also called on banks to urgently check on the levels of cash in their ATMs. This is especially since many people are expected to return to their hometowns for the Hari Raya celebrations after two years of the movement control order (MCO), and therefore, will need cash.

Tan Sri Lee also noted that banks should have anticipated more people making withdrawals, and prepared sufficient cash in their ATMs. “With banks closed during the holidays, ATM is the only option left for people to withdraw money for urgent use. As such, banks need to respond to consumers’ complaints and explain why their ATMs are running out of cash,” he further said.

Malaysians will enjoy a long weekend of five days starting from tomorrow, with a replacement holiday for Labour Day on 2 May 2022 (Monday), and Hari Raya Aidilfitri on 3 and 4 May. 

(Source: New Straits Times)

• TAGS:
• ATM
• Automated Teller Machine
• Bank Negara Malaysia
• BNM
• Datuk Dr Marimuthu Nadason
• Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations
• FOMCA
• Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye