Malaysians can pay overseas with DuitNow QR
Residents of Malaysia are now able to settle payments abroad through their domestic banking applications, with Alipay+ facilitating transactions in five international locations: China, Hong Kong, South Korea, the Philippines, and Laos. Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) has introduced outbound DuitNow QR payment functionality via Alipay+, allowing users to complete purchases at participating overseas vendors.
The service initially involves Maybank, CIMB, and Hong Leong Bank, while Bank Islam will join shortly. This initiative supports PayNet’s broader strategy to enhance secure and interoperable cross-border payment solutions, in line with Bank Negara Malaysia’s push for streamlined international transactions.
How It Functions
Customers visiting supported merchants can activate the DuitNow QR payment feature within their Malaysian banking app and scan the vendor’s QR code—marked with the Alipay+ emblem. Transactions can be reviewed and authorized directly through the app, eliminating the need to install additional software or register for an Alipay+ account.
Praveen Rajan, PayNet’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized that seamless cross-border transactions should mirror domestic convenience. He noted that this partnership between financial institutions and global payment providers extends Malaysia’s national payment infrastructure internationally.
Expanding Global Payment Reach
The rollout follows PayNet’s ongoing collaboration with Ant International through Alipay+. Since November 2023, international travelers using compatible Alipay+ wallets have been able to pay at DuitNow QR merchants nationwide, helping local businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, capture spending from foreign visitors.
This new outbound feature reverses the flow, permitting Malaysian bank customers to pay at Alipay+ merchants in the five supported countries, with additional markets planned for future integration. PayNet is among the first national payment networks to scale global QR acceptance through Alipay+.
The Alipay+ network encompasses over 2 billion user accounts across more than 50 payment partners, supporting 150 million merchants in 210 markets. He added that such initiatives support cross-border commerce while promoting inclusive economic growth.
PayNet processed nearly 30 million cross-border transactions in 2025, a 150% increase from 2024, with Chinese Mainland transactions driving much of the growth. The Alipay+ outbound QR system remains open for adoption by additional PayNet-affiliated banks and digital wallets, broadening access to international QR payments via existing platforms.
Local businesses benefit from the collaboration. Small and medium-sized enterprises tap into international visitor spending. This strengthens the country’s tourism economy.
