How to Use DuitNow Transfer to Send Money Instantly to Any Malaysian Bank

DuitNow Transfer lets you send money to any Malaysian bank account or e-wallet instantly, 24 hours a day, using just a phone number or IC number, no account number required. It is run by Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet), operating under Bank Negara Malaysia’s oversight, and is available at every major Malaysian bank and licensed e-wallet.

This guide walks you through registering your DuitNow ID, sending a transfer, understanding the limits, and fixing the most common problems.

What is DuitNow Transfer?

DuitNow Transfer is Malaysia’s national instant fund transfer service. It replaced the older IBG (Interbank GIRO) as the standard way to move money between banks. Transfers settle in seconds rather than hours, and fees are waived until at least 31 December 2026 (PayNet, 2025).

There are two ways to use it:

• Send to an account number: enter the recipient’s bank and account number directly, just like a standard online transfer.
• Send by DuitNow ID (Pay by Proxy): enter the recipient’s registered ID, such as their mobile number, and the system looks up the linked account automatically.

The Pay by Proxy method is the more convenient of the two because the sender does not need to know the recipient’s bank account number.

DuitNow ID Types: What Can You Register?

A DuitNow ID is a short identifier linked to your bank account inside PayNet’s National Addressing Database (NAD). Supported ID types for individuals (PayNet, 2025):

ID Type	Who Can Use It
Malaysian mobile number (01x-xxxxxxx)	All Malaysians and residents
MyKad / NRIC number	Malaysian citizens and permanent residents
Passport number	Foreign nationals
Army / Police ID number	Armed forces and police personnel
Business Registration Number	Sole proprietors and companies

Each DuitNow ID can be linked to only one bank account at a time. You can register multiple different IDs (for example, both your mobile number and NRIC) and link each to the same or a different account. If you re-register an ID that is already linked to another account, it will move the link to the new account.

Step 1: Register Your DuitNow ID (To Receive Money)

You only need to register if you want people to send money to your DuitNow ID. Registration is free and takes about two minutes through your bank’s app or internet banking. No registration is needed to send money.

1. Log in to your bank’s mobile app or internet banking portal.
2. Navigate to “DuitNow” or “Transfer”, then look for “DuitNow ID” or “Manage DuitNow”.
3. Select “Register DuitNow ID”.
4. Choose your ID type (mobile number is most common).
5. Enter the ID and select the account you want to link it to.
6. Confirm with your TAC (Transaction Authorisation Code) or biometric.

Your ID is now active across all participating banks. Anyone in Malaysia can send you money using your registered ID immediately.

Changing or Deactivating Your DuitNow ID

To switch your DuitNow ID to a different bank account, simply register the same ID again at the new bank. The old link is replaced automatically. To deactivate, use the DuitNow ID management section in your banking app.

Step 2: Send a DuitNow Transfer

Once your recipient has a registered DuitNow ID (or you have their account number), sending money works as follows:

1. Open your bank app or internet banking.
2. Select “Transfer” or “DuitNow Transfer”.
3. Choose whether to send by DuitNow ID or by account number.
4. Enter the recipient’s DuitNow ID (e.g. their mobile number) or account number.
5. The app will display the registered account holder’s name for confirmation. Always verify the name before proceeding.
6. Enter the amount and an optional reference note.
7. Confirm with TAC or biometric.

Funds arrive in the recipient’s account within seconds in most cases, any time of day including weekends and public holidays.

DuitNow Transfer Limits

Transfer limits apply per transaction and per day. The standard limits set by PayNet are:

Account Type	Per-Transaction Limit	Daily Limit
Individual (retail)	RM 50,000	RM 50,000
Corporate	Up to RM 10,000,000	Set by bank

Important: individual banks may impose lower daily limits than the PayNet maximum. For example, some banks default new accounts or e-wallet users to lower limits. Check your bank’s settings or call their helpline if you need to increase your limit. Banks typically allow you to raise limits through the app, subject to identity verification.

Fees are waived until 31 December 2026. After that date, PayNet may introduce nominal fees; check the official PayNet website for any updates closer to that time.

Which Banks and E-Wallets Support DuitNow?

DuitNow Transfer is available at all major Malaysian banks including Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank, RHB, Hong Leong Bank, AmBank, Bank Islam, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered, and BSN, among others. Licensed e-wallets such as Touch ‘n Go eWallet, BigPay, Boost, and GrabPay also participate. The complete list is maintained on the PayNet website.

Troubleshooting: Why Did My DuitNow Transfer Fail?

Most DuitNow transfers complete instantly, but failures do occur. Here are the common reasons and what to do:

“DuitNow ID Not Found” or “Invalid Recipient”

The recipient’s ID is not registered, is registered to a closed account, or was entered incorrectly. Ask the recipient to check their DuitNow ID registration in their banking app. Double-check the ID you entered, especially for transposed digits.

Transfer Stuck or Pending

DuitNow transfers are designed to be instant, but network congestion between banks can occasionally cause a delay of a few minutes. Wait five to ten minutes before assuming a failure. If money has left your account but has not arrived, contact your bank first with the transaction reference number.

”Daily Limit Exceeded”

You have reached your bank’s daily transfer cap. Try again after midnight or contact your bank to request a temporary or permanent limit increase.

Amount Rejected (Zero or Below Minimum)

Some banks set a minimum transfer amount (typically RM 0.01 to RM 1.00). Ensure you are sending a valid amount above the minimum.

”Technical Error” Message

This is a temporary system issue at your bank or at PayNet. Wait a few minutes and retry. If the error persists, use the standard interbank transfer (account number method) as an alternative, or contact your bank’s customer service.

Wrong Recipient Name Shown

If the name shown after entering a DuitNow ID does not match the person you intend to pay, stop. Do not proceed. The ID may have been transferred to another person’s account. Ask your recipient to verify their current DuitNow ID registration.

DuitNow Transfer vs IBG vs IBFT: A Quick Comparison

Feature	DuitNow Transfer	IBG	IBFT
Settlement speed	Instant (seconds)	Next business day	Within 2 hours
Hours available	24/7	Business hours	24/7
Can use proxy ID	Yes	No	No
Fee (2025-2026)	Free	Free (most banks)	Free (most banks)
Max per transaction	RM 50,000	RM 1,000,000	RM 500,000

For everyday transfers of RM 50,000 or below, DuitNow Transfer is the clear choice due to its speed and ease.

Key Takeaways

• DuitNow Transfer is instant, free until end of 2026, and works 24/7 at all major Malaysian banks and e-wallets.
• Register your mobile number or NRIC as a DuitNow ID so others can pay you without needing your account number.
• Each DuitNow ID can only be linked to one bank account at a time; re-registering moves the link.
• The standard daily limit is RM 50,000 for individuals; your bank may set a lower default that you can adjust.
• Always confirm the recipient’s name on screen before approving any transfer.
• Failed transfers are usually caused by an unregistered ID, a wrong ID, or a daily limit being hit.

For a broader look at Malaysia’s real-time payment ecosystem, see our guide on digital banks and e-wallets in Malaysia. If you use your bank account alongside an investment account, our guide on how to buy shares on Bursa Malaysia covers the fund transfer steps needed to top up your CDS account.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register anything to send money via DuitNow Transfer? No. You only need to register a DuitNow ID if you want to receive money via proxy (e.g. your mobile number). To send money, you just need your bank’s app and the recipient’s DuitNow ID or account number.

Can I link the same mobile number to two different bank accounts? No. Each DuitNow ID can only be linked to one account at a time. Registering the same number at a second bank automatically moves the link to the new account and removes it from the old one.

What happens if I send money to the wrong DuitNow ID? Contact your bank immediately with the transaction reference number. Banks can attempt to recall the funds, but recovery is not guaranteed if the recipient’s account has already been used. Always verify the name displayed before confirming.

Is there a minimum amount for DuitNow Transfer? PayNet does not set a system-wide minimum, but individual banks may impose a small minimum (typically RM 0.01 or RM 1.00). Check your bank’s terms or help section.

Will DuitNow Transfer remain free after 2026? As of 2025, PayNet has waived all transaction fees until 31 December 2026. Any changes beyond that date will be announced by PayNet and Bank Negara Malaysia. Monitor the official PayNet website for updates.