(Front row from left) Ismail, Zamzamzairani, Suresh, Shahril Azuar and Fawwaz at the launch of phase 1 of the Maybank-FRIM Afforestation project at the Bidor research station in Perak.
OVER 18,000 Maybank employees worldwide took part in the 13th Maybank Group Global CR Day, making a difference to over 20,000 people across the bank’s operational footprint.
Under the banking group’s employee volunteerism programme “Cahaya Kasih”, employees came together in driving environmental responsibility, empowering communities and education for a more sustainable future.
This year, 96 initiatives were implemented by its offices across the globe, from New York and London to Greater China and Asean.
Maybank group chief human capital officer Mazhatulshima Mohd Zahid said, “Through the spirit of collaboration and community, we continue to champion one of the region’s largest corporate responsibility initiatives.
“In tandem with Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship, it underscores our commitment in tackling the challenges faced by people and communities.
“By implementing high-impact initiatives, we aim to uplift livelihoods, strengthen social resilience and safeguard the environment across Asean and throughout the world.”
In Perak, Maybank chairman Tan Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa and over 200 staff launched phase 1 of the Maybank-Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) five-year afforestation project.
The project is part of ongoing efforts to restore a 5ha former mining site at the Bidor research station in Perak.
A total 1,500 native trees were planted over two hectares, with a final 150 planted during the launch ceremony.
The project marked the bank and FRIM’s progress in restorative efforts, supported by environmental monitoring and community workshops to ensure the site’s long-term survival as well as carbon benefit and positive livelihood outcomes for the community.
Also present were FRIM director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan, Maybank Perak regional director Suresh Ramasamy, Maybank group chief sustainability officer Datuk Shahril Azuar Jimin and assistant district officer (community development) Fawwaz Abdurrahman.
In Cambodia, over 400 staff took part in the “United for Stronger Communities: From Mulberry Roots to Empowered Women and Rising Generations” initiative at Maybank’s silk weaving training centres in Takeo and Siem Reap.
Volunteers planted over 2,000 mulberry trees, laying the foundation for sustainable silk weaving, and equipped more than 100 women farmers and weavers with financial literacy.
They also engaged with 100 children in sports, fostering teamwork.
In Singapore, 1,500 staff hosted The Kindness Market, an inclusive community pop-up in collaboration with 14 community partners.
It was in support of over 2,000 lower-income families and seniors, empowering them with Kindness Credits worth S$100 each that enabled them to purchase groceries, while also helping them with a simple budgeting exercise.
Members of the board, senior management and employees around the world took part in the initiatives, which included tree-planting, food aid distribution, financial literacy workshops and skills training.
