KUCHING, 5 AUGUST 2022: Maybank Islamic Berhad today presented a corporate zakat mock cheque totaling RM1.16 million to Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak for the financial year 2021 (FY2021).

This portion is part of Maybank Islamic’s total corporate zakat of RM8.94 million for FY2021, which has already been distributed to all State Religious Councils nationwide.

The handover of the mock cheque to Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak was presented by Maybank Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato' Khairussaleh Ramli to Yang Dipertua Majlis Islam Sarawak, Datu Haji Misnu Haji Taha and witnessed by the Premier of Sarawak, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in a ceremony at the Premier’s office in Kuching, Sarawak.

Other attendees at the handover ceremony include Chief Executive Officer of Maybank Islamic, Dato' Mohamed Rafique Merican, Group Chief Executive Officer, Global Banking, Dato' Muzaffar Hisham, Group Chief Executive Officer, Community Financial Service, Dato' John Chong, and Abang Jamili Abang Julai, Maybank Regional Director, Sarawak.

Speaking at the event, Dato' Khairussaleh said that the prolonged movement control order during the COVID-19 pandemic had negatively impacted the welfare of some families in Malaysia. This was especially evident among the vulnerable segment, with many already experiencing financial constraints prior to the pandemic.

“We believe that this zakat contribution, to some degree, can assist in easing the burdens of asnaf recipients (groups who are eligible to receive zakat aid collected from Muslims) and the underprivileged to sustain their livelihoods.”

Dato’ Khairussaleh also said that this effort is in line with Maybank's five-year plan, M25 which seeks to collaborate with its stakeholders to achieve sustainable growth for all. The Bank’s focus is to empower its communities by ensuring inclusive progress while leading the way through good governance practices.

During the five-year period from 2018 to 2022, Maybank Islamic has distributed zakat amounting to RM5.9 million to Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak. In the same period, the Bank has also collaborated with several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for Sarawak’s social and community programmes using zakat funds totaling RM1.48 million that has benefited more than 23,000 zakat recipients.

"We have always strived to provide opportunities for the community, including for asnaf recipients, to create better and more sustainable lives through the annual distribution of zakat funds via our corporate social responsibility programmes. We not only want to promote sustainable financial practices among the Muslim community but also optimise the potential and effectiveness of zakat while developing a comprehensive Islamic banking system that will contribute to the growth and development of the community and country," said Dato’ Mohamed Rafique Merican.

Among the zakat programmes carried out are the annual food supply distribution programme in the month of Ramadan, zakat assistance to asnaf students pursuing their tertiary education, daie' (Muslim preachers) and community programmes for asnaf converts as well as a water, sanitation and hygiene programme in a village in Serian.