Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad continued its effort in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goals to eradicate poverty through one of its Corporate Responsibility (CR) projects named “Projek Bantuan Rumah Bank Islam”, where 27 homes for the underprivileged were built and refurbished in Melaka and Negeri Sembilan.

The newly built and refurbished houses are located in Jasin, Alor Gajah, Melaka Tengah, and one in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan.

The handover of the mock house key was made at the “Projek Bantuan Rumah Bank

Islam” event, officiated by the chief minister of Melaka, Datuk Seri Utama Ir. Idris Haron and Bank Islam’s chief executive officer, Khairul Kamarudin at the Holiday Inn, Melaka.

Bank Islam presented mock keys symbolising the official handover and RM500 in cash to the recipients. 

On top of that, all they also received groceries, contribution from Surau Wakaf Ahmad Dawjee Dadabhoy (SWADD), Menara Bank Islam. 

“To date, the Projek Bantuan Rumah Bank Islam which started in 2008, has successfully seen 265 homes built and refurbished with a total cost of RM7.16 million covering several states, namely Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Sarawak, Perak, Johor and Melaka. 

“Each newly built house costs approximately between RM53,000 to RM55,000 while the cost for refurbishment is estimated between RM15,000 to RM20,000. Insya-Allah, the same will be carried out in Sabah this year,” said Khairul.

He said, the awareness to take proactive measures in eradicating poverty must be implanted as a shared responsibility and not the sole responsibility of the Government. 

“We sincerely hope that the contribution provided today will help ease the burden and provide a comfortable shelter for the recipients. 

“Now, they are able to focus on earning their living and providing sound education for their children which in turn will elevate their standard of living and economic standing in the future,” he added.

This housing-aid initiative is a joined effort between Bank Islam and Majlis Agama Islam Melaka (MAIM), Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) and Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli (JAKOA). 

A total of RM12.8 million of Bank Islam’s business tithes (zakat) for financial year 2016 was distributed to assist the underprivileged (asnaf) in education, business, health and others. 

Projek Bantuan Rumah Bank Islam” 2017 is partly funded using the 2016 business zakat where nine homes were newly built while another 18 was refurbished at a total cost of RM855,000.

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