^{(From left) Datin Saidatul Badru Tun Said Keruak, Chairman of Darul Bakti; YB Datuk Mohd. Arsad Hj. Bistari, Tempasuk assemblyman; Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic and CIMB Foundation; and Ken Mohamed Faiz Kamal, Regional Head, Business Development and Corporate Initiatives of CIMB Islamic; together with one of the participants of Program Keusahawanan Digital Pembaikan Telefon Pintar dan Keusahawanan Belia.}  


KOTA KINABALU, Sabah, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad and CIMB Foundation (collectively “CIMB”) have pledged to support nine economic empowerment initiatives in Sabah, focusing on improving the socio-economic growth and well-being of underserved communities. With total commitments exceeding RM1.3 million in 2024, these targeted initiatives, which are anchored in economic empowerment, community well-being and education, have positively impacted over 10,000 beneficiaries, reflecting CIMB’s broader purpose of advancing customers and society. 
 
Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic and CIMB Foundation said, “Economic empowerment and inclusion are core principles that drive our community initiatives as we expand our outreach across Malaysia, including Sabah. Our initiatives are strategically and thoughtfully designed with a holistic approach, recognising the interconnectedness of each community as a unified social structure.” 

“By investing in capacity building, financial literacy and community well-being programmes, we aim to create meaningful opportunities that empower individuals and communities to leap forward, fostering resilience and enabling sustainable livelihoods. These will not only help to elevate their quality of life, but also build a ripple effect of lasting positive impact for their families and community at large. Our commitment to these values remains steadfast, and we continually look at ways to expand our efforts, ensuring that no one is left behind on the path towards a thriving and inclusive future,” he added.  

Notable programmes include CIMB Islamic’s flagship Program Keusahawanan series, which recently expanded to Sabah to empower 50 asnaf youth in Kota Belud with essential digital and technical skills in smartphone repair. In partnership with non-governmental organisation (“NGO”) Darul Bakti, Program Keusahawanan Digital Pembaikan Telefon Pintar dan Keusahawanan Belia aims to foster sustainable employment by inspiring Sabahan youth to pursue financial independence through skill-based entrepreneurship. The Sabah chapter of the programme offers participants training in smartphone software and hardware, guidance on financial management and marketing, along with mentorship.
 
Meanwhile, CIMB Foundation has joined forces with Kembara Kitchen and PACOS Trust, a community-based organisation dedicated to supporting indigenous communities in Sabah, to ensure food security during disaster relief and improve emergency preparedness for vulnerable communities and frontline responders. Through this partnership, CIMB has sponsored the production of 5,000 Hero Meals — nutritious, ready-to-eat meals with an extended shelf life in preparation for humanitarian emergencies. These meals are produced via retort machines contributed by CIMB Foundation to Kembara Kitchen, with one unit placed at PACOS Trust to help expand the production of Hero Meals. These machines enable efficient meal production and distribution, with PACOS Trust serving as the regional hub to supply these essential meals to disaster-affected individuals and frontline responders in Sabah and Sarawak.  
 
Through the CIMB Foundation Be$MART Financial Literacy Education programme, CIMB promotes financial literacy by providing essential financial management skills to youth entering the workforce. The programme was conducted in Kota Kinabalu for students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (“UMS”), Universiti Teknologi MARA (“UiTM”) Sabah and Institut Pendidikan Guru (“IPG”) Kampus Gaya to provide comprehensive approach to financial literacy. It featured interactive workshops led by engaging speakers, covering essential topics which include budgeting, saving, investing, managing debt and financial fraud and scam awareness. To date, the programme has empowered more than 1,800 students, including those from Sabah, with knowledge to make sound financial decisions.

About CIMB

CIMB is one of ASEAN’s leading banking groups and Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider, by assets. Listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, it had a market capitalisation of approximately RM72.7 billion as at 30 June 2024. It offers consumer banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, transaction banking, Islamic banking and asset management products and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is present in eight ASEAN nations (Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Philippines).   

Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in China, Hong Kong and UK. CIMB has one of the most extensive retail branch networks in ASEAN with 594 branches and over 33,000 employees as at 30 June 2024. CIMB’s investment banking arm is one of the largest Asia Pacific-based investment banks, which together with its award-winning treasury & markets and corporate banking units comprise the Group’s leading wholesale banking franchise. CIMB is also the 92.5% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 94.8% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand.

Source: CIMB Bank Berhad

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Anis Azharuddin / Kelvin Jude Muthu
Group Corporate Communications 
CIMB Group Holdings Berhad
Email: anis.azharuddin@cimb.com / kelvinjude.muthu@cimb.com  

--BERNAMA