Payments Network Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (PayNet) has partnered with Gobarakah Tech Sdn. Bhd. to deliver targeted digital flood relief to rural communities affected by floods and landslides in Penampang, Sabah. The initiative supported more than 140 individuals from 47 households across severely impacted areas, including Kampung Madsiang, Kampung Sogumau, Kampung Inobong, Kampung Limbata, and Country Heights, providing timely assistance during the challenging monsoon season.
This initiative marks PayNet’s first digital aid deployment in rural Sabah and its second relief effort in Penampang. Eligible beneficiaries were verified and onboarded onto Gobarakah’s digital aid platform, where they received e-vouchers that could be redeemed for essential goods. The vouchers were utilized through Koperasi Wawasan Rakyat Sabah’s mobile supply trucks as well as selected local grocery stores, ensuring that aid reached communities efficiently despite logistical challenges. Earlier this year, PayNet also contributed to repairing the Madsiang Community Learning Centre, which was damaged during the 2024 floods.
According to PayNet Group CEO Farhan Ahmad, the digital approach was designed to provide greater flexibility and dignity to affected residents. By allowing beneficiaries to choose the items they need most, the initiative not only empowers communities but also gives donors confidence that contributions reach the intended recipients. The programme further reflects PayNet’s commitment to leveraging technology for meaningful social impact, particularly in underserved and disaster-prone areas.
The collaboration leverages Gobarakah’s digital aid platform, which enables transparent, traceable, and needs-based distribution of assistance. This approach helps minimize leakages and mismatched supplies often associated with traditional cash handouts or pre-packed food baskets. Gobarakah is also a participant in PayNet’s Fintech Hub programme, which aims to work with fintech innovators to develop safe, reliable, and practical solutions that address real-world challenges faced by Malaysians.
Gobarakah CEO and Co-Founder Firdaus Mohamed said the partnership ensures end-to-end traceability of aid distribution while preserving the dignity and choice of beneficiaries, alongside promoting digital and financial inclusion. Meanwhile, local distribution coordinator Juddy Lasius expressed heartfelt appreciation for the collaboration, noting that the support had significantly eased the burden of flood and landslide victims at the temporary evacuation center in Penampang.
Farhan added that Penampang was selected under PayNet’s PayNet Cambah East Malaysia social impact initiative due to the resilience shown by the local community. Despite recurring natural disasters, unstable internet connectivity, and intermittent power disruptions, residents continue striving to grow their businesses. PayNet’s goal, he said, is to ensure that digitalization delivers tangible and sustainable benefits, enabling rural communities to build self-sustaining cycles of shared prosperity and economic growth.
For more details on the PayNet Cambah programme, please visit: https://paynet.my/beyond-
payments/community-impact/paynet-cambah.html