Through EcoSave-i, the Bank has contributed over RM12 million to community-centred conservation and biodiversity initiatives nationwide
GEORGETOWN, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad (“CIMB Islamic” or “the Bank”), together with The Habitat Foundation and Penang Institute, has renewed a two-year partnership to accelerate conservation efforts in Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve (“PHBR”) and Royal Belum State Park through
CIMB EcoSave-i: Our Nature, Our Treasure initiative. Enabled through a RM1 million commitment via CIMB Islamic’s EcoSave-i savings account (“EcoSave-i”), this renewed collaboration builds on earlier efforts to expand environmental education, strengthen biodiversity protection and broaden community engagement in Penang and Perak.
The new phase will extend to Royal Belum State Park in Perak, with a dedicated focus on revitalising endangered seladang or Malayan gaur populations through improved habitat conditions and enhanced grazing zones to ensure adequate nutrition and healthier breeding herds. In collaboration with the local Orang Asli community as the stewards of the forest, the programme will support herd monitoring, saltlick maintenance and the identification of suitable new grazing areas.
Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, CEO of CIMB Islamic said, “We are honoured to continue our collaboration with The Habitat Foundation and Penang Institute to safeguard the PHBR and Royal Belum State Park, two of the Malaysia’s most important ecosystems. Through EcoSave-i, we aim to create inclusive and meaningful opportunities for communities to connect with nature, broaden their understanding and actively participate in its protection.”
“The next phase of the partnership marks an important expansion into Royal Belum, where we will strengthen conservation efforts for the seladang, a critically endangered species that is unique to this region and essential to the balance of our forest ecosystems. The combined efforts of all partners along with public support, will elevate the impact of this initiative and reinforce our shared responsibility to protect our natural heritage, in line with CIMB Group’s purpose of advancing customers and society,” he added.
YB Dato' Seri Sundarajoo A/L Somu, Penang State EXCO for Housing and Environment said, “The Penang state government has long advocated for a green and resilient future through the Penang2030 Vision, aiming to establish a family-focused, green, and smart state that can inspire the nation. These projects align closely with our Penang2030 goals and highlight the importance of Our Nature, Our Treasure initiative” Ooi Geok Ling, Board member of The Habitat Foundation said, “Recognition is only the beginning of our journey towards true conservation excellence and deeper nature appreciation. We are heartened that CIMB Islamic stands alongside us in this shared vision.”
Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng, Executive Director of Penang Institute, said, “Biodiversity within a city calls for progressive ways of thinking that can help sustain the integrity of Nature. We believe that a deep appreciation of our rich tropical biosphere calls for inhabitants to have nurturing interactions with their natural surroundings. Accessibility and Appreciation go hand in hand, and knowing one’s natural surroundings leads to a willingness to preserve and protect it. ‘Access with respect’ is a value we need to cultivate in the long run.”
In addition to expanded efforts in Royal Belum, biodiversity protection initiatives in Penang will continue with the installation of additional wildlife canopy bridges at identified hotspots to enable safe movement for Penang’s endangered Dusky Langur and other wildlife across busy roads. Beyond on-ground conservation, public awareness and education will also be a key focus. Programmes such as talks, experiential nature camps and guided visits will be organised for more than 500 participants from schools, community groups and underprivileged communities annually. These activities aim to encourage meaningful engagement with nature, build understanding of local ecosystems and foster a culture of responsible stewardship.
The partnership will also incorporate sustainability innovations aimed at reducing food waste through the installation of Economical Food Waste Composters developed by Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (“UPSI”) in selected schools and community sites. Each machine is expected to process approximately one tonne of food waste into compost annually, supporting urban farming and contributing to habitat restoration activities.
These initiatives are supported by EcoSave-i, Malaysia’s first environmentally focused Islamic savings account. Under EcoSave-i, the Bank commits 0.2%* of the total average portfolio balance per annum is channelled towards environmental projects. Since its launch in 2008, EcoSave-i has contributed more than RM12 million to various conservation and environmental programmes nationwide, supporting community-centred efforts to preserve natural ecosystems and biodiversity.
The public can also support these conservation efforts by opening an EcoSave-i account online or at any CIMB branch nationwide. In addition to indirectly contributing towards environmental initiatives, customers who maintain a monthly average balance of RM5,000 without over-thecounter transactions will receive a RM5 monthly cash incentive.
For more information on EcoSave-i, please visit
www.cimb.com.my/ecosave.
*Subject to maximum amount (if any) as stated in the product T&C. Photo caption: (From left) Lau Ching Fong, Acting Director of Perak State Parks Corporation, Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic, YB Dato’ Seri Sundarajoo A/L Samu, Penang State EXCO for Housing and Environment, Danny Chua, Group Managing Director of The Habitat Group, Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng, Executive Director of Penang Institute, Dato' Cheok Lay Leng, General Manager of Penang Hill Corporation, at the launch of CIMB EcoSave-i: Our Nature, Our Treasure. About CIMB CIMB is one of ASEAN’s leading banking groups and Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider, by assets. Listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, it had a market capitalisation of approximately RM73.0 billion as at 30 June 2025. It offers consumer banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, transaction banking, Islamic banking and asset management products and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is present across ASEAN in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Philippines.
Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in China, Hong Kong and UK. CIMB has one of the most extensive retail branch networks in ASEAN with 571 branches and over 33,000 employees as at 30 June 2025. CIMB’s investment banking arm is one of the largest Asia Pacific-based investment banks, which together with its award-winning treasury & markets and corporate banking units comprise the Group’s leading wholesale banking franchise. CIMB is also the 92.5% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 94.8% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand.
About the Habitat Foundation The Habitat Foundation is a non-profit organization established to advance the conservation of biodiversity and natural ecosystems in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. We work with diverse partners and stakeholders on conservation, research, education, and sustainability initiatives. Through our grants and Foundation-led programmes, our goal is to nurture the essential transformations in our society to safeguard the living planet upon which all life depends.
http://www.habitatfoundation.org.my/
About Penang Institute Penang Institute is one of Malaysia’s major think tanks. Funded by the Penang state government, it was established in 1997 (as SERI, the Socio-economic and Environmental Research Institute) and underwent a name change in 2011 as part of a rebranding exercise to reflect the heightened ambitions of the state to secure Penang’s reputation as an intellectual hub and as the culture capital of the country, and to enhance Penang’s reputation in ASEAN and beyond.
With the tagline “Making Ideas Work”, Penang Institute encourages bold and innovative thinking not only in academic disciplines but also through the support it gives to literature and culture by way of events such as book launches, public literature seminars; through its public policy briefs, ISSUES, Monographs; through interviews with notable personalities on current state of affairs and trends in the form of podcast recordings which is available in three languages; and through its renowned magazine,
Penang Monthly.
SOURCE: CIMB Group
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Anis Azharuddin / Kelvin Jude Muthu
Group Corporate Communications
CIMB Group Holdings Berhad
Email: anis.azharuddin@cimb.com / kelvinjude.muthu@cimb.com
--BERNAMA