Fee Waiver Covers Nearly 16,000 Bank ATMs Nationwide, Says Fahmi
PETALING JAYA, July 2 — Nearly 16,000 automated teller machines (ATMs) across Malaysia are now offering fee-free cash withdrawals under an interbank ATM sharing arrangement, with the exemption covering approximately 84 per cent of all ATMs nationwide.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the removal of the RM1 withdrawal charge, which took effect on July 1, is intended to reduce banking costs for consumers using participating bank-owned ATM networks.
Speaking at the Weekly Communications Ministry press conference at Angkasapuri, Fahmi said the clarification was provided by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) following public queries over the implementation of the initiative.
According to him, the exemption applies only to banks participating in Malaysia’s shared ATM network, allowing customers to withdraw cash from participating banks’ machines without paying the previous RM1 interbank fee.
“The objective of this initiative is to provide some financial relief to the public through the interbank ATM sharing network operated by participating banking institutions,” he said.
Fahmi explained that the remaining 16 per cent of ATMs nationwide are operated by independent ATM service providers under separate commercial arrangements and therefore are not covered by the fee waiver.
He said these independently operated machines continue to fall outside the scope of the policy because they do not participate in the banking industry’s shared ATM network.
“The exemption only applies to ATMs owned by banks that are part of the shared ATM system. Machines operated by independent providers remain subject to their existing commercial model,” he said.
Fahmi added that the Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) and the Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM) are expected to issue further details regarding the implementation of the initiative.
To help consumers identify eligible machines, he advised the public to look for the branding and logo of participating banks, noting that independently operated ATMs are generally distinguishable from bank-owned machines.
He also encouraged customers who are still charged the RM1 fee when using eligible bank-operated ATMs to report the matter directly to Bank Negara Malaysia for investigation and appropriate action.
The fee waiver forms part of efforts to ease everyday banking costs for consumers while improving access to cash withdrawals through Malaysia’s extensive shared ATM network.
![Woman in a light blue gown with gold embroidery and a silver halo headpiece, posing gracefully.", "Two side-by-side portraits of a woman in an ornate hijab dress with beaded sleeves and a metallic halo.", "Elegant blue gown with sparkling embellishments and a crown-like silver halo worn by a hijab-clad model.", "Portraits of a woman in a richly decorated blue dress with tassels and a radiant silver halo.", "Hijab-clad model wearing a beaded blue gown with a jeweled crown-like headpiece, posing confidently."]} }aissez?{](https://wilayah.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/siti-nurhaliza-2-390x220.jpg "siti nurhaliza 2 - Wilayah.com.my")
