Cross-border payments in Southeast Asia are shifting from pure remittances to “everyday” obligations, like social security contributions, where compliance and local rails are as important as speed.
A new Malaysia–Philippines partnership is betting that overseas Filipinos will be an early driver of that interoperable-payments push.
Paydibs Sdn Bhd, a Malaysia-based payment firm, has partnered with Philippines-based payment service provider AltPayNet to provide payment services between Malaysia and the Philippines, starting with a service that allows Filipinos living in Malaysia to make contributions to the Philippines’ Social Security System (SSS).
Paydibs said the collaboration aims to strengthen financial interoperability and inclusion by providing seamless payment services for overseas communities and regional merchants.
Under the arrangement, AltPayNet will leverage Paydibs’ locally licensed payment infrastructure in Malaysia to enable secure and compliant payment interoperability between the two markets, the companies said.
By linking AltPayNet’s network with Paydibs’ in-market payment rails, the partnership creates an integrated framework designed to broaden access to essential financial services, while aligning with regional efforts to promote interoperable retail payments across ASEAN.
“This partnership reflects Paydibs’ commitment to advancing financial connectivity through inclusive and interoperable payment solutions,” Paydibs Chief Executive Officer Tee Kean Kang said.
“By supporting services such as Social Security System (SSS) contributions on our platform, we are helping overseas communities remain financially connected and secure using trusted and compliant local payment infrastructure,” he added.
The initial rollout will focus on enabling Filipinos residing in Malaysia to make SSS contributions directly, offering a more convenient way to keep social security payments up to date and maintain access to services in the Philippines.
“Our goal is to ensure financial access empowers Filipino families and communities, wherever they are,” said Don Vacal, CEO of AltPayNet. He added:
By partnering with Paydibs, we can offer secure, interoperable and compliant payment services that help overseas Filipinos meet essential obligations, such as SSS contributions, while also opening new opportunities for merchants across borders
Paydibs has also been appointed as the official payment processor for AltPayNet’s merchants in Malaysia, with transactions routed through locally approved payment rails to support compliance and operational efficiency.
Over time, the companies expect to expand beyond SSS contributions into a wider range of merchant payments, aiming to strengthen financial resilience for overseas communities and deepen cross-border commerce between the two markets.
