SINGAPORE - Senior citizens who want to go cashless, but are unsure how to use the wide variety of apps available or have cybersecurity concerns, can now take part in a three-hour programme to get them up to speed on doing so.

The Info-comm Development Authority (IMDA) launched its first e-Payment Learning Journey on Wednesday (May 30), which gives people over 50 a hands-on session on how to transfer money to others using e-payment apps, how to pay at stores using QR codes, and how to top-up their Ez-link card at MRT stations.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who made going cashless a national priority during his National Day Rally speech in 2017, attended the first programme held at the Grassroots Club at Ang Mo Kio on Wednesday morning.

Participants were first taught how to find and download the relevant apps on their smartphones and how to register and log in to their respective accounts.

These include e-payment apps developed by the various banks here, such as DBS PayLah, OCBC Pay Anyone and UOB Mighty. They were also taught how to use PayNow, an instant fund-transfer system operated by by keying in the recipient's mobile phone or identity card number.

They also learnt how to use their phone cameras to scan a QR code to pay at stores, as well as how to use their debit or credit cards to top-up their Ez-link card.

They were guided by volunteers from the Youth Corps Singapore, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP Inc.

The programme is the latest addition to the IMDA's Silver Infocomm Initiative, which was set up to equip senior citizens with digital skills.

"Using technology appropriately allows seniors to connect with their family members, access e-services, and enjoy the convenience of e-transactions and e-payments," said Ms Koh Li-Na, IMDA's senior director for the digital readiness cluster.

There will be five other programmes held throughout the rest of the year, with the IMDA aiming to help 2,000 seniors.

"We went on a holiday in China and saw how easy it was for people to pay with their phones there - through AliPay, WeChatPay," said retired security officer Mr Leow Mai Chhon, 66, who heard about the programme through the Teck Ghee Active Ageing Committee.

"So my wife and I decided to come here to upgrade our skills and learn how to use handphone apps for payment. We cannot lose out to China."