Kuala Lumpur, 24 February 2026 – CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad and CIMB Foundation have committed over RM2.22 million to their annual Harapan Ramadan Programme 2026, extending socio-economic support to more than 45,000 beneficiaries nationwide while strengthening grassroots economic participation through small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs.
This year’s initiative marks a strategic evolution of the programme, moving beyond traditional seasonal aid toward a model that integrates community-based economic empowerment into its core structure.
Strengthening Local Economies Through Micro-Entrepreneurs
A key enhancement in 2026 is CIMB’s decision to integrate 100 neighbourhood general stores nationwide into the Programme’s supply chain to source food box essentials. By channeling procurement through local retailers, the Bank aims to reinforce community-level supply chains and sustain small business operations during the Ramadan period.
In addition, 50 asnaf micro-entrepreneurs will receive a RM1,000 seed fund each to support business activities during the fasting month, providing a practical launchpad for income generation. Beneficiaries include alumni of the iTEKAD Program Keusahawanan CIMB Islamic, Taylor’s, as well as residents from CIMB’s adopted Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) communities under the Program Satu Pemimpin Satu Kampung (Santuni MADANI) initiative.
The approach reflects CIMB’s shift from direct aid toward fostering financial self-sufficiency and resilience, enabling underserved individuals to generate sustainable livelihoods rather than relying solely on one-off assistance.
Launch Ceremony and Community Engagement
The Programme was officially launched in the presence of Senator Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Religious Affairs), alongside Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, CEO of CIMB Islamic and CIMB Foundation, and leaders from partner organisations including Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) and Yayasan Belia Malaysia (YBM).
At the event, CIMB distributed food boxes to 150 beneficiaries from key frontline agencies including Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM), Jabatan Bomba & Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) and Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia (RELA).
Inclusive Support Beyond Ramadan Aid
Funded through corporate contributions and Zakat Wakalah allocations, Harapan Ramadan continues to provide essential support to vulnerable communities, including single mothers, orphans, senior citizens, asnaf and B40 families, persons with disabilities, prison inmates and Orang Asli communities.
Support is delivered in the form of food boxes containing daily necessities such as rice, cooking oil and ready-to-eat meals, alongside cash allowances, duit raya contributions, iftar sessions and tazkirah programmes. CIMB also organises festive shopping initiatives for selected children, allowing them to personally select Hari Raya essentials, reinforcing dignity and inclusion during the festive season.
CIMB volunteers across Malaysia actively participate in ground operations, including food box preparation, distribution activities and community iftar engagements at adopted PPR communities such as Pinggiran Bukit Jalil, Lembah Subang, Perumahan Awam Seri Selangor and Seri Alam.
Regional Ramadan Initiatives
The Programme is complemented by parallel Ramadan initiatives in Indonesia and Singapore. In Indonesia, CIMB Niaga Syariah is conducting nationwide iftar distributions and charitable outreach under initiatives such as Iftar Under the Stars and CIMB Niaga Syariah Berbagi. Meanwhile, CIMB Singapore has mobilised volunteers to distribute aid to senior citizens and low-income families during Chinese New Year and Ramadan, underscoring the Group’s commitment to diversity and regional community engagement.
Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff 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.”
Since its inception in 2022, Harapan Ramadan has channelled over RM8.7 million in funding, benefiting more than 174,500 recipients and engaging over 1,300 CIMB employees in volunteer initiatives nationwide.
The 2026 programme reinforces CIMB’s broader social impact agenda, aligning financial inclusion with sustainable community development, and demonstrating how corporate philanthropy can evolve into a catalyst for long-term economic empowerment.
