Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (SME Bank) continues to extend assistance to flood victims by activating its second flood relief mission, following SME Bank’s recent announcement to provide immediate assistance to its customers through tailored financing solutions and relief measures.
SME Bank reaffirms its commitment towards uplifting the lives and communities in need by extending support to individuals and families affected by the nationwide flood as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, aligning with the Bank’s ESG agenda which is to create lasting impact on society.
Under this initiative, SME Bank contributed food baskets and essential items as well as cash assistance to the flood affected victims within these two states.
Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, Acting Group President/Chief Executive Officer of SME Bank said, “As one of the country’s leading development financial institutions (DFI) mandated in the value creation of the society, we are aware of the challenges faced by victims of the flood that hit our shores recently.
“Thus, we heed the government’s call for all government agencies and corporations to play a direct role in helping the Rakyat navigate through this difficult situation. Being agile and quick to address this nationwide crisis, we continue to extend the necessary assistance beyond financing by executing our flood-relief CSR initiative in Kedah and Kelantan, benefiting over 4,500 beneficiaries in view of the high number of flood cases in these two states.
“We are pleased to collaborate with the Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM), under the Kedah State Government, where we contributed food baskets and essential items to 400 families within the district of Kubang Pasu, Kedah – comprising over 3,500 beneficiaries in total.
“Meanwhile, in Kelantan we are providing our support through cash contribution to two (2) primary schools; Sekolah Kebangsaan Teluk Jering and Sekolah Kebangsaan Bendang Pa’Yong, to support post- flood recovery, benefitting 1,000 students.
“Beyond these, our very own employees were also involved in the preparation and distribution of the food baskets in Kedah, while our employees in Kelantan were involved in the restoration and cleaning of the two affected schools.”
A handover presentation ceremony was held recently in both states. In Kedah, the ceremony saw Dato’ Muslim Hussain, Chairman of SME Bank and Mohammad Hardee in attendance, along with Muhammad Mahazi Ibrahim, District Officer of Pusat Kawalan Operasi Bencana (“PKOB”), Kubang Pasu – the implementing body of JKM Kedah.
Meanwhile, in Kelantan, SME Bank was represented by Zabidi Abdullah, Chief Business Officer; Zarina Nor Ismail, Chief Operating Officer and Mohammad Azam Ahmad, Group Chief Risk Officer, along with Zamri Muhammad, Headmaster of Sekolah Kebangsaan Teluk Jering and Roslan Mohamed, Headmaster of Sekolah Kebangsaan Bendang Pa’Yong.
Since 2022, SME Bank has mobilised nearly 20 CSR initiatives amounting to over RM3 million with emphasis on economic empowerment, community development, and environmental preservation, including the Flood Relief Aid for Students in Penampang, Sabah and the ‘Satu Pemimpin Satu Kampung’ (Santuni Madani) programme, among others.
In addition to these efforts, SME Bank also supports MSMEs by mobilising the Bank Negara Malaysia’s Disaster Relief Facility (DRF). This facility offers financing of up to RM700,000 for SMEs and RM150,000 for micro-enterprises, with a competitive rate of 3.5% per annum and a tenure of up to seven years.
For further details on SME Bank’s programs and initiatives, please visit www.smebank.com.my, SME Bank’s Facebook page, or contact SME Bank’s Contact Centre at 603-26037700.
