The adoption of Kampung Gudang Garam under the Federal Government’s Satu Pemimpin, Satu Kampung (Santuni Madani) initiative by RHB Banking Group brings positive news for the villagers residing in Johor’s Segamat district.
The village headman, Noor Hisham Mohd Noor, stated that the community comprises almost 400 residents.
“Most of the village residents are retirees who previously worked at oil palm, rubber, and durian plantations.”
We are situated on the edge of town, with very limited street lighting, which makes nighttime travel quite challenging.
“Thanks to RHB, our everyday travel, particularly to the mosque, has gotten simpler since we installed solar-powered lighting,” he stated during the Santuni Madani event at Masjid Kampung Gudang Garam.
He mentioned that the program ought to be extended so that additional remote villages could reap benefits from it.
The head of the Masjid Kampung Gudang Garam committee, Bardin Uteh, likewise conveyed his appreciation for the team’s assistance in enhancing the mosque and ensuring greater comfort for worshippers.
“We trust that through this enhancement, our 40-year-old mosque will be able to host more events for the community,” he stated.
The Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of RHB Banking Group, Datuk Mohd Rashid Mohamad, stated that they have committed almost RM1 million for the upcoming three years to back the Santuni Madani initiative. This program focuses on enhancing underprivileged groups and narrowing social-economic disparities.
Our participation starts with the acceptance of Kampung Gudang Garam.
This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to support the communities we serve.
“We are concentrating on two main aspects: enhancing fundamental infrastructure and reducing poverty via sustainable initiatives,” he stated.
The improvements included freshening up the mosque with paint jobs and renovations, setting up solar lights alongside pathways to both the mosque and cemetery, and adding a brand-new water tank.
“Over the long haul, our objective is to transform the mosque into an energy-efficient facility using a solar power system,” stated Mohd Rashid.
To reduce poverty, RHB is conducting financial education workshops and social security awareness programs in collaboration with organizations like the Employees Provident Fund, Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), and Amanah Saham Bumiputera.
He mentioned that the team had additionally provided assistance to SMK Gemereh by organizing financial education sessions, aiding 40 students from low-income backgrounds who are getting ready for their SPM exams, and supplying school supplies to orphaned children.
We have additionally contributed necessary tools to the school aimed at enhancing digital learning abilities and facilitating the incorporation of technology into teaching.
By including SMK Gemereh, RHB has now embraced 10 schools across the country through its social impact programs.
“Our ongoing corporate social responsibility initiative, RHB Touch Hearts, will kick into action this year as well, engaging over 13,000 staff members who will participate in events aimed at enhancing financial education and skills training for students. Additionally, they will work on upgrading educational facilities and aiding local communities throughout Malaysia and certain ASEAN nations,” he stated.
Mohd Rashid mentioned that these initiatives were part of the organisation’s larger sustainability goals outlined in their Progress27 three-year strategic plan. This plan is designed to uplift 2.5 million people and enterprises throughout ASEAN by 2027.
“Through our Santuni Madani pledge, we’re not only putting money into infrastructure but also into people, their education, and their future,” he stated.
Present as well was Mohd Effendi Abdul Razak, who serves as the Southern Regional Director at RHB Banking Group.