Paydibs, AltPayNet link Malaysia-Philippines payments

Paydibs and AltPayNet have formed a partnership which they said will connect payment networks in Malaysia and the Philippines, starting with a service for Filipino residents in Malaysia to pay social security contributions back home.

The arrangement links AltPayNet's cross-border payments network with Paydibs' payment infrastructure in Malaysia. The companies positioned the tie-up as a step towards stronger interoperability between the two markets and wider access to payment services for overseas communities and merchants.

SSS Payments

The initial rollout centres on contributions to the Philippines' Social Security System, known as SSS. The companies said Filipinos living in Malaysia will be able to make payments to SSS through Paydibs' platform.

SSS plays a similar role in the Philippines to Malaysia's Employees Provident Fund. Regular contributions are tied to eligibility for benefits and services.

"This partnership reflects Paydibs' commitment to advancing financial connectivity through inclusive and interoperable payment solutions. 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," said Tee Kean Kang, Chief Executive Officer, Paydibs.

AltPayNet said the focus on social security contributions addresses a recurring requirement for overseas Filipinos, who often need reliable ways to keep payments current while living abroad.

"Our goal is to ensure financial access empowers Filipino families and communities, wherever they are. 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," said Don Vacal, Chief Executive Officer, AltPayNet.

Merchant Processing

Beyond the SSS service, Paydibs has been appointed the payment processor for AltPayNet's merchants operating in Malaysia. The companies said transactions will route through locally approved payment rails in Malaysia.

Payment rails refer to the processing networks that move funds between customers, merchants, banks and other financial institutions. For cross-border providers, local routing often reduces operational friction and can simplify compliance requirements in the market where a transaction takes place.

Paydibs is registered as a Payment Service Provider under Malaysia's Financial Services Act 2013. The company provides a payment gateway for merchants which supports cards, online banking, e-wallets, QR payments and other local methods.

AltPayNet operates as a payment service provider based in the Philippines with an international footprint. It said it is authorised to process payments for Philippine government agencies including SSS and the Pag-IBIG Fund, another national savings programme. The company also said it is registered as an Operator of Payment Systems with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and with Labuan Financial Services Authority in Malaysia, and as a Foreign Money Service Business with Canada's FINTRAC.

Wider Scope

The companies said the partnership will expand beyond SSS contributions over time. They indicated that the next phase would cover a wider range of merchant payments between Malaysia and the Philippines.

The broader context is ASEAN's push for more interoperable retail payments, including cross-border QR payment links and greater connectivity between domestic payment systems. Private sector partnerships often mirror these objectives by building technical and commercial routes between local payment networks and regulated providers.

For merchants, more integrated payment routes can increase the addressable customer base across markets, particularly in corridors where migrant communities maintain spending and payment obligations in their home country. For consumers, the immediate value tends to sit in access and continuity, especially for recurring payments such as social security contributions.

Vacal described the Malaysia corridor as a priority market for AltPayNet's expansion.

"This collaboration strengthens our presence in Malaysia and builds on our operations. Together with Paydibs, we are expanding inclusion and supporting sustainable economic growth for merchants and communities alike," said Vacal.

Both companies said the partnership would act as a base for additional services in a regional payments ecosystem, with the initial deployment centred on SSS contributions and subsequent expansion into broader merchant payments.