Sarawak Energy operation and retail arm Syarikat SESCO Bhd (SESCO) continues to innovate customer service experience for the convenience of clients.

The latest initiative from the state utility is the introduction of payment kiosk machines as an additional payment channel, allowing for real-time payment updates.

Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Sharbini Suhaili who officiated the event held at Wisma SESCO here on Wednesday to mark the initiative said the kiosks will be available at SESCO counters for added customer convenience.

Sarawak Energy Group Chief Operating Officer, Lu Yew Hung, Executive Vice President for Corporate Services Aisah Eden, SESCO Chief Executive Officer Lau Kim Swee and Vice President for Retail, Yusri Safri were also in attendance together with Sarawak Energy's Group Executive Committee, senior management and staff.

According to Sarbini, to date four kiosks have been installed at Wisma SESCO and Pending in Kuching and another two at the Sibu office, adding that ten more kiosks will be installed in stages at Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu Civic Centre, Bintulu, Miri counters as well as at UTC Kuching, UTC Sibu and UTC Miri.

He said through the kiosks customers can make single or multiple payments (up to five bills) for their electricity bills per transaction and also pay for their collateral deposits, adding that payments can be made either by cash, cheque and credit cards issued by banks in Malaysia.

"Customers can also perform bill enquiries and print e-bills and this will provide an additional option for customers who can also choose from channels such as the "SEBCares" mobile app where customers can view and pay their electricity bills via online banking, credit or debit card or auto pay," said Sarbini.

Sharbini congratulated the Retail team for applying technological advancement and innovation to enhance customer experience and urged them to continue innovating applications to improve customers' touch points through new technology.

"This is an example of how we can simplify processes to deliver with speed and precision. Sometimes the simplest idea can bring meaningful change. Let us work the extra mile to delight the customers and surpass expectations," he said.

Lau said the kiosk was part of Retail's long-term vision for counter-less transactions.

"We constantly seek customers' feedback and this payment kiosk is one of the requests made by our customers," he said.

Yusri meanwhile, said by introducing the kiosk, the company would be able to reduce the customers' queuing time at the counters and enable the front-liners to focus better on handling other complex transactions and enquiries.

"We hope to extend this facility to the smaller counters in the rural areas so customers can enjoy similar convenience as experienced in the urban areas.

"We are also looking into the idea of having the kiosks placed at strategic locations such as shopping malls for better customers' convenience," said Yusri, adding that this would extend the time customers could use the kiosks past traditional office hours.

For further queries on Sarawak Energy's services, customers are encouraged to contact Sarawak Energy's Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111 or email [email protected]. -BERNAMA