24 February 2026
Funds channelled through small business owners and micro-entrepreneurs to strengthen community economic participation
Kuala Lumpur : CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad and CIMB Foundation (collectively “CIMB” or “the Bank”) has committed over RM2.22 million to its annual Harapan Ramadan programme (“the Programme”) this year, specifically designed to drive socio-economic empowerment for over 45,000 beneficiaries from underserved communities in Malaysia.
This year’s programme marks a strategic shift toward strengthening local economies by integrating small business owners directly into the Programme’s value chain. As part of this effort, the Bank has engaged with 100 neighbourhood general stores near distribution areas nationwide to supply food box items. This approach helps sustain small businesses and reinforce local supply chains within the communities served.
Beyond sourcing, the Bank is also providing a RM1,000 seed fund to 50 asnaf micro-entrepreneurs to serve as a practical launchpad for their businesses during the Ramadan season. This includes alumni from the Bank’s flagship entrepreneurship programmes, such as iTEKAD Program Keusahawan CIMB Islamic – Taylor’s and identified micro entrepreneurs from the residents of CIMB’s adopted Projek Perumahan Rakyat (“PPR”) under the Program Satu Pemimpin Satu Kampung (“Santuni MADANI”), empowering participants to generate sustainable income. By equipping participants with the necessary capital, CIMB is transitioning from traditional aid to a model that promotes financial self-sufficiency, supporting more resilient and independent livelihoods.
The Programme was launched recently in the presence of Yang Berhormat 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, Chairman of Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (“YADIM”), Dato’ Dr. Suhaimi Ibrahim, Chairman of Yayasan Belia Malaysia (“YBM”), and Datuk Haji Abdul Hakim Amir Osman, Chief Executive Officer of Pusat Pungutan Zakat Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (“PPZ-MAIWP”). At the event, the Bank also distributed food boxes to 150 beneficiaries from Polis Diraja Malaysia (“PDRM”), Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (“APM”), Jabatan Bomba & Penyelamat Malaysia (“JBPM”), and Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia (“RELA”).
Anchored in the principle of financial inclusion, Harapan Ramadan aims to deliver meaningful, long-term impact that extends well beyond immediate seasonal relief. Funded through CIMB Islamic and CIMB Foundation’s corporate donation and Zakat Wakalah funds, the Programme is implemented in collaboration with YBM and YADIM, leveraging on their extensive community reach across Malaysia. Through this multi-faceted approach, CIMB continues to champion the economic upliftment of underserved communities, ensuring that its social investments foster both community well-being and local business growth.
Alongside its economic empowerment efforts, the Programme continues to provide essential support to vulnerable groups, including single mothers, orphans, senior citizens, asnaf and B40 communities, persons with disabilities, residents of CIMB’s adopted PPR under Santuni Madani, prison inmates and Orang Asli communities. Assistance is delivered through food boxes which include daily essential items such as rice, cooking oil and ready-to-eat meals, cash allowances or duit raya, iftar and tazkirah programmes, helping them ease financial pressures during Ramadan and in preparation for Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Additionally, CIMB also organises dedicated shopping initiatives for selected children from underserved communities nationwide, providing them the opportunity to personally select new festive essentials for the upcoming festivities.
Meanwhile, fostering the spirit of togetherness, CIMB volunteers including our branch employees will also participate in on-ground engagements such as food boxes preparation and distribution nationwide as well as iftar sessions with residents at CIMB’s adopted PPRs namely Pinggiran Bukit Jalil, Lembah Subang, Perumahan Awam Seri Selangor, and Seri Alam.
This year, the Programme is further enhanced through additional Ramadan initiatives being undertaken separately in Indonesia and Singapore. CIMB Niaga Syariah is undertaking Ramadan activities across Indonesia for iftar distribution and Ramadan-related assistance to orphanages and charity homes under initiatives such as CIMB Niaga Syariah Iftar Under the Stars and CIMB Niaga Syariah Berbagi. Meanwhile, CIMB Singapore brought together volunteers to prepare and distribute aid to senior citizens and low-income families celebrating Chinese New Year and Ramadan, highlighting the importance of diversity and understanding during this meaningful period.
Ahmad Shahriman said, “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."
Harapan Ramadan is a flagship initiative under CIMB Group’s social impact agenda. Since its inception in 2022, the Programme has channelled over RM8.7 million in funds, benefitting over 174,500 recipients from underserved communities and has engaged over 1,300 CIMB employees in volunteer initiatives nationwide.
