E-money LinkAja officially starts operation in March 1

E-MONEY - JAKARTA. Electronic money (e-money) system LinkAja, a collaboration among state-owned enterprises, will officially start operation on March 1.

LinkAja is an integration of several e-money systems -- T-Cash provided by Telkomsel, Yap by state-owned lender Bank Negara Indonesia BNI, E-Cash by Bank Mandiri and T-Bank by state-owned lender Bank Rakyat Indonesia

The financial technology (fintech) product has been initiated by the State-Owned Lender Association (Himbara), Telkomsel, a subsidiary of state-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom Indonesia, and state-owned oil and gas holding company Pertamina.

Hiimbara chairman Maryono, who is also state-owned lender Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) president director, confirmed the information, saying that all customers of Himbara members would migrate to LinkAja.

He said the preparation to migrate customers of state-owned lenders to LinkAja was almost completed, pending the regulation adjustment.

Meanwhile, Bank Indonesia deputy governor Sugeng said the document relating to LinkAja’s licensing arrangement was on the desk of BI Governor Perry Warjiyo.

“Hopefully, it can be issued soon,” Sugeng said as reported by kompas.com on Friday, adding that all relevant requirements for the issuance of the LinkAja permit had been fulfilled.

Himbara says that the establishment of the QR platform by state-owned enterprises will facilitate payment transactions. The coverage of LinkAja will be expanded to all regions across the country, including remote areas, in trying to expand financial inclusion.

The association says that LinkAja is equipped with holistic features that can be used for various transactions including paying water, internet, electricity and Pertamina fuel bills, health insurance BPJS Kesehatan premiums, transportation fares and online shopping.