WWF MALAYSIA, CIMB ISLAMIC COMMIT TO PROTECT FRASER'S HILL FOREST COMPLEX

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia has launched a project to inventorise and catalogue the botanical treasures of Fraser’s Hill Forest Complex, under its Peninsular Malaysia Terrestrial Conservation programme.

Apart from emphasising floral species diversity, endemism and conservation, the botanical inventory project, supported by CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd, will also provide assessments and recommendations for conserving the various species, as well as their habitats.

In a joint statement today, WWF Malaysia and CIMB Islamic said the project is part of a three-year Fraser’s Hill Conservation Programme, which was made possible through a contribution of RM443,900 by CIMB Islamic to advocate the security and protection of the Fraser's Hill Complex as a state park.

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WWF Malaysia’s chief executive officer (CEO), Sophia Lim said that Fraser’s Hill Forest Complex meets the International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria, qualifying it as an important plant area due to its species biodiversity, presence of threatened species and endangered habitats.

“This is because montane forests are home to natural treasures unique from those found in the country’s lowland tropical forests, especially flora species that thrive in cooler climates,” she said.

CIMB Islamic’s CEO, Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff said the project is in line with Bank Negara Malaysia’s Financial Sector Blueprint agenda which emphasises transforming the Malaysian financial system to be more sustainable and climate-resilient.

He said CIMB Islamic has always been at the forefront of value-based intermediation, championing initiatives that prioritise positive impacts on society, including the conservation and preservation of the environment.

“Looking ahead, we hope our collaboration with WWF Malaysia will contribute positively towards the betterment of the environment, local communities, and the general economy at large, aligned with CIMB Group’s new brand proposition, ‘Moving Forward With You’.

“We also hope more business communities and financial institutions will join us on this journey by playing a more active role in biodiversity protection and conservation,” he added.

As part of its efforts, CIMB Islamic said customers can open the environmentally-friendly EcoSave savings account at any CIMB Islamic branch nationwide, with a minimum deposit of RM250.

Subsequently, apart from indirect contributions towards green initiatives, customers who maintain a monthly average balance of RM5,000 without any over-the-counter transactions during the month will enjoy a RM5 monthly cash incentive.

In addition, customers will also receive quarterly updates via EcoSave’s e-newsletter on green initiatives undertaken by EcoSave.

-- BERNAMA