Bank Muamalat-MAB Expand Cooperation To Empower Visually Impaired Community

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad (Bank Muamalat) today signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) to form holistic cooperation in empowering the visually impaired community.

Its president and chief executive officer (CEO) Khairul Kamarudin said the long-term collaboration was the bank’s social responsibility initiative in empowering the visually impaired persons with disabilities (PwD) community through access to financial facilities, training and its products and services.

“I hope with this MoC, Bank Muamalat will be able to help the visually impaired PwD community to generate their own income as well as bridge the economic gap and be able to be more competitive when they are equipped with training and necessaties.

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“Through this collaboration, Bank Muamalat also will support the Fair Treatment of Financial Consumers (FTFC) framework, issued by Bank Negara Malaysia, aimed at creating a more inclusive financial system that protects the interests of all consumers, especially those who are vulnerable," he said in a statement today.

Through this MoC, 59,413 people registered under the MAB and Social Welfare Department (JKM) will receive the benefits that will be offered.

Additionally, the collaboration between the two entities will be further expanded through social finance initiatives including Bank Muamalat's iTEKAD programme as well as zakat and waqf projects.

Through Bank Muamalat’s iTEKAD programme, the eligible visually impaired will have access to asset purchase capital assistance, structured training and micro-financing, in addition to eligible entrepreneurs also being given training in marketing through a selected online e-commerce platform specifically for the visually impaired.

Apart from this, MAB has also committed to provide training services to Bank Muamalat staff on measures to help the visually impaired in banking, which will encourage Bank Muamalat's long-term commitment in providing Islamic banking services for all.

Meanwhile, MAB CEO Datuk George Thomas said the collaboration is in line with MAB’s vision to ensure the visually impaired community can live independently through their own income.

"Based on the previous four successful Jariah Fund campaigns with Bank Muamalat, MAB is very pleased to expand cooperation in Bank Muamalat's social finance programme to improve the living standards of MAB members and the visually impaired community as a whole," he also said.

More information about Bank Muamalat's Jariah Fund and iTEKAD can be found on Bank Muamalat's website at www.muamalat.com.my or by visiting the nearest Bank Muamalat branch.

Customers can also contact Bank Muamalat's Customer Service Centre at 03-2600 5500 for more information.

-- BERNAMA