Agrobank Launches Its First Mobile ATM In Malaysia To Help Rural Community In Sarawak

KUCHING, SARAWAK – Agrobank today launches its first mobile Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and among the first in Malaysia to provide mobile ATM services to nine (9) districts of southern region in Sarawak to serve the local communities. The launching ceremony was officiated by Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Chief Minister of Sarawak.

The launch of this Mobile ATM is part of Agrobank’s continuous commitments to support the unserved and underserved community towards achieving financial inclusion and to broaden access to financing whilst supporting the initiatives undertaken by the State Government of Sarawak and Bank Negara Malaysia of Sarawak.

According to Dato’ Mustapha Buang, Chairman of Agrobank, “Agrobank will continuously show strong commitment in supporting the State Government of Sarawak initiatives towards achieving full financial inclusion which would improve the rural communities and at the same time supporting the economic growth particularly in rural areas”.

“With the potential development of activities in Sarawak, Agrobank sees greater needs to help drive the economic activities.  We are pleased to introduce the mobile ATM banking services and we are proud to become among the first bank to provide mobile ATM to community in southern region of Sarawak namely; Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Sematan, Lingga, Pantu, Tebedu, Asajaya and Sebuyau,” said Mustapha.

Mustapha added, “More than 72% of Agrobank branches and kiosks are located in rural areas and we always believe that comprehensive financial services are powerful tools for a strong and inclusive economic growth as well as empowering individuals and community.  If we take a trip down memory lane, our efforts can be seen back in 1994 where Agrobank launched PATRIOT Rejang, the first banking service in Malaysia offered on a vessel plying the Rejang River to reach the local communities of the towns of Kapit, Sibu and Belaga.”

“Today, our efforts continue and with this mobile ATM, it is hope that it will create easy banking services for the rural communities in Sarawak. This is in line with the Bank’s objective which is to uplift the well-being of unserved and underserved community,” said Mustapha.

Agrobank strives to balance its developmental and commercial roles by providing full value chain financing for agriculture sector including upstream segment related to primary food and commodities-based agriculture activities to downstream activities such as processing, marketing and distribution of agricultural products.