[UPDATE: 2 August 2024 – 7:20pm] WeChat has issued a brief statement regarding the discontinuation of its WeChat Pay MY service:
“WeChat Pay MY is an e-wallet service for local Malaysian users. The upcoming discontinuation of WeChat Pay MY e-wallet service is limited to local Malaysian users, and will not affect Chinese tourists from using WeChat Pay in Malaysia, and Malaysian users can also spend conveniently in China through diversified payment methods. In future, WeChat Pay will continue to focus on the two key aspects of Chinese outbound travellers and foreigners coming to China and continue to enhance payment convenience.”
[Original Story: 2 August 2024 – 3:22pm]
WeChat has announced the cessation of its WeChat Pay Malaysia (MY) e-wallet service, apparently as part of a strategic business adjustment. As revealed by its recent statement, registrations for new users will be closed starting this month, while all of its payment services are scheduled to be fully discontinued by September 2024.
The platform adds that existing users can withdraw funds from WeChat Pay MY until 31 December 2024. Any withdrawals done from 1 January 2025 onwards will require opting for a special withdrawal arrangement.
WeChat assures that the discontinuation of its e-wallet service does not affect other functions provided by its platform. It clarified that its messaging services as well as Weixin Pay, which allows Malaysian users to make payments while in China and vice versa, will continue to operate as usual.
To withdraw the balance, users should launch the WeChat app and log into their account. From there, select Me > Pay and Services > Balance > Withdraw. Next, add a bank account for the withdrawal, and you’ll be prompted to verify your mobile number afterwards. Once the request is submitted, WeChat says it will take three business days for the process to be completed.
The platform is also encouraging users to complete their identity verification before withdrawing. To do this, first launch WeChat, navigate to Me > Pay and Services > tap the three dots on the top right corner > Payment Management > Identity Verification.
For the uninitiated, WeChat Pay MY was first introduced all the way back in 2018 as an added service to the WeChat platform. Since then, users were able to use its services to conduct payments at supported stores and petrol stations across the country.
(Source: WeChat [official website])
