Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (“SME Bank”) supports the Government’s ‘Satu Pemimpin Satu Kampung’ (“SANTUNI MADANI”) programme through a partnership with Kampung Pasir, Tampoi in Johor Bahru, which is expected to benefit over 2,000 residents of the village. This initiative reaffirms SME Bank’s commitment in uplifting the well-being and livelihoods of the local community. 

Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, Acting Group President/Chief Executive Officer of SME Bank said, “In line with our mandate to provide beyond financing support to the unserved and underserved target groups, we are pleased to heed the Government’s call by supporting the national SANTUNI MADANI programme. Kicking off this initiative today, we are happy to support 100 students of Kampung Pasir across 14 learning institutions comprising elementary, primary and secondary schools under the Back-to-School 2025 program with a cash contribution totalling RM20,000. Also, our team members from SME Bank’s Southern Regional Centres in Johor Bahru and Batu Pahat participated in a “gotong-royong” to clean up the key areas within Kampung Pasir to improve the surrounding environment as part of SME Bank’s aspirations to clock 4,648 employee volunteering hours this year across close to our 1,200 employees.” 

Datuk Hardee added, “The onboarding of Kampung Pasir as one of the Bank’s beneficiaries underscores their commitment towards addressing the socioeconomic and social gaps in our society day, particularly within the communities in need such as Kampung Pasir, aligning with the Government’s aspirations to advance more economic empowerment and community development initiatives. This also reaffirms our sustainability aspirations which is to implement and execute initiatives that contribute positively to the betterment of society in the long-term period.” 

The SANTUNI MADANI programme is a national initiative spearheaded by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and coordinated by the Implementation Coordination Unit (“ICU”) of the Prime Minister's Department. The SANTUNI MADANI programme involves relevant agencies under the Government to select a village within the country that requires direct support and assistance. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of the rural and underdeveloped target groups, which includes villages and communities in need, in tandem with empowering these segments in accordance with the principles of localised Sustainable Development Goals. 

The officiating ceremony was graced by the presence of Dato' Zahari Sarip, Committee Chairman, State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry & Rural Development of Johor and Member of the Johor State Executive Council (“EXCO”). Also in attendance were Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim; Zaini Sinong, Head of Village, Kampung Pasir along with SME Bank’s senior management team. 

From 2022 to November 2024, SME Bank has mobilised approximately close to RM3 million across 17 CSR endeavours, focussing on economic empowerment, community development as well as environmental conservation and preservation. 

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