CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad and CIMB Foundation have allocated more than RM2.22 million to their annual Harapan Ramadan programme this year, aiming to support over 45,000 individuals from underserved communities across Malaysia.
The initiative has shifted its focus towards boosting local economies by involving small business owners in the supply chain for food box distribution. As part of this strategy, CIMB has partnered with 100 neighborhood general stores nationwide to provide food items for the programme. This move is intended to help sustain these businesses and reinforce local supply chains.
In addition to sourcing from small businesses, the bank is providing a RM1,000 seed fund to 50 asnaf micro-entrepreneurs. The recipients include alumni from entrepreneurship programmes such as iTEKAD Program Keusahawan CIMB Islamic – Taylor’s and selected residents from Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) under the Program Satu Pemimpin Satu Kampung (“Santuni MADANI”). The goal is to help participants achieve financial independence by offering capital support during Ramadan.
The launch event was attended by Senator Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Religious Affairs), Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic and CIMB Foundation, Datuk Dr. Hasan Bahrom of Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM), Dato’ Dr. Suhaimi Ibrahim of Yayasan Belia Malaysia (YBM), and Datuk Haji Abdul Hakim Amir Osman of Pusat Pungutan Zakat Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (PPZ-MAIWP). During the event, food boxes were distributed to 150 beneficiaries from agencies including Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM), Jabatan Bomba & Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM), and Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia (RELA).
Harapan Ramadan is based on principles of financial inclusion and aims for long-term impact beyond immediate relief efforts. The programme uses funds from corporate donations and Zakat Wakalah sources through partnerships with YBM and YADIM to reach communities throughout Malaysia.
Support continues for vulnerable groups such as single mothers, orphans, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, B40 households, prison inmates, Orang Asli communities, and residents of adopted PPRs under Santuni Madani. Assistance includes food boxes containing daily essentials like rice and cooking oil, cash allowances or duit raya, iftar events, religious talks (tazkirah), and shopping initiatives that allow children from underserved backgrounds to select new festive items ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
CIMB volunteers—including branch employees—are also involved in preparing and distributing aid nationwide as well as participating in iftar sessions at various adopted PPR locations: Pinggiran Bukit Jalil, Lembah Subang, Perumahan Awam Seri Selangor, and Seri Alam.
This year’s programme also features additional activities in Indonesia through CIMB Niaga Syariah’s Ramadan assistance projects for orphanages under “Iftar Under the Stars” and “Berbagi,” as well as volunteer-driven aid distribution in Singapore supporting senior citizens and low-income families during Chinese New Year and Ramadan.
Ahmad Shahriman stated: “Harapan Ramadan reflects our commitment to uplifting communities in a meaningful and sustainable way. Beyond providing short-term assistance, our focus is on strengthening local participation, supporting livelihoods and creating opportunities for individuals and small businesses to become more resilient over time. By mobilising zakat wakalah funds, corporate contributions and collaboration with community partners, we aim to ensure that the benefits of this Programme ripple through communities in Malaysia and, separately, through the additional initiatives in Indonesia and Singapore well beyond the holy month of Ramadan, reinforcing our purpose of Advancing Customers and Society through practical actions that help communities to grow and thrive.”
Since it began in 2022 as part of CIMB Group’s social impact agenda, Harapan Ramadan has provided over RM8.7 million in aid reaching more than 174,500 people from underserved groups while engaging upwards of 1,300 employees nationwide.
