Based on a check by FMT, the new ATM was placed at a business premises in Kampung Jerek yesterday, just a few days before the Nenggiri state seat by-election this Saturday.

The machine is expected to benefit over 30,000 people.

One resident, Mohamad Razali, 55, expressed relief that he no longer needs to travel 50km from his village to withdraw cash.

“I no longer have to go to Gua Musang or Dabong to withdraw money. It’s also much easier to deposit money for my children’s education,” he said.

Meanwhile, Othman Yusof, 62, hopes the people of Nenggiri would make good use of the ATM and take care of it.

“We’re also grateful for this by-election. Without it, we might not have gotten this ATM and would have had to wait many more years to get one (in our area),” he added.

Last week, FMT reported that for some residents in Nenggiri, withdrawing money from a bank or ATM involved a two-way trip about 50km away to the town of Gua Musang or Dabong, where such facilities can be found.

Such a trip would cost them about RM50 by taxi.

While there are a handful of sundry shops in the area, which act as banking agents, they can only provide up to RM300 per villager.

In response, the finance ministry said it had taken steps to address the issue of residents in Nenggiri lacking access to ATM services.

The ministry said it had concluded discussions with several local banks to provide ATM services in Nenggiri and the response had been positive.