Tengku Saifuddin delivers a short speech at the start of the programme.
KUCHING: Syariah-compliant insurance group Etiqa Takaful Bhd strives to ‘humanise’ its brand through ongoing engagement in various welfare activities aimed at helping the less-fortunate members of society.
According to its chief executive for Sarawak region Tengku Saifuddin Tengku Zainal Abidin, the company through its ‘Corporate Zakat (Tithe) Responsibility’ programme, allocates over RM1.5 million annually for this purpose.
The funds, he said, would be channelled either as cash aid to deserving recipients, towards construction of buildings such as hostels, classroom blocks, canteens and surau, or providing facilities like computers, education aid and sports equipment.
“Under this programme, Etiqa has helped over 30 welfare institutions nationwide since 2008. Our annual corporate zakat has also benefitted more than 2,600 orphans and ‘asnaf’ (those eligible to receive tithes such as the hardcore poor, the disabled and senior citizens who have no next-of-kin).
“This programme is in line with Etiqa’s brand tagline, which is to ‘humanise’ our insurance and takaful services,” he said when met during the ‘Jejak Prihatin’ programme at Surau Darul Asyiqin of Kampung Sungai Lumut near Pantai Damai here yesterday.
Jejak Prihatin is among the key annual agenda of Islamic Aid Malaysia (IAM), with Etiqa as its corporate partner.
The event at Kampung Sungai Lumut yesterday kicked off the programme for Sarawak and Sabah this year, said IAM president Zawahir Abdullah.
It involved the presentation of foodstuff and cash to some 200 families from Kampung Sungai Lumut, Kampung Buntal and Kampung Sungai Bedaun. Additionally, the programme also included the handover of a passenger van worth RM136,000 to Madrasah Al-Khairat Kuching, which was represented by its principal Syed Mohamad Syed Alwi and administrative manager Syed Abdul Hamid Wan Yusuf.
“The recipients (of Jejak Prihatin) comprise the poor, orphans, the disabled, single mothers who are sole breadwinners of their families and senior citizens who are on their own.
“Meanwhile, the brand new van will facilitate the management of the ‘madrasah’ (religious school) in their daily operations. This, in turn, will benefit the more than 70 students there,” said Zawahir.
He also acknowledged the key role played by Etiqa in helping IAM run its humanitarian programme, adding that their partnership on Jejak Prihatin had been ongoing since 2013.
“We are thankful that we’re able to partner with Etiqa in various welfare programmes run under its Corporate and Syariah Unit. The company has put its trust in IAM to identify individuals eligible for the aid and further ensure that they are the deserving recipients.
“IAM, as a humanitarian NGO (non-governmental organisation), is very accessible. We welcome feedback and enquiries from the people about what we do and how we can help the needy.
“For more information, you can always visit our website www.iam.org.my,” he said.
The presentation ceremony yesterday was witnessed by Kampung Sungai Lumut headmanAzmi Sha’ari, Surau Darul Asyiqin committee chairman Yusuf Azmi and Masjid Darul Ibadah Kampung Kudei Lama congregation head Jamaluddin Rambli.
Volunteers help some of the recipients carry their items.