Sultan Mizan Launches Malaysia's First Waqf For Turtle Conservation

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, today launched the 'Wakaf Kelestarian Alam: Konservasi Penyu Terengganu’, Malaysia’s first waqf (endowment) model dedicated to the preservation of marine life, particularly endangered species such as turtles.

His Royal Highness also launched the RHB Sukuk Dana Hafeez initiative, to support turtle conservation efforts under the waqf programme.

Also present was Sultanah of Terengganu, Sultanah Nur Zahirah.

Earlier, Sultan Mizan witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), between Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and RHB Islamic Bank Berhad (RHB Islamic), marking a strategic partnership for the implementation of the waqf initiative.

UMT vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Zamri Ibrahim said the collaboration represents a creative and innovative approach to sustaining research and conservation activities, while providing an opportunity for public participation in biodiversity conservation through systematic and structured waqf contributions.

“This collaboration reflects UMT’s commitment to leveraging knowledge and research as tools for preserving the natural ecosystem, while also strengthening waqf practices in support of sustainable development, guided by Islamic economic principles,” he said in his speech.

Meanwhile, RHB Islamic Bank managing director, Datuk Adissadikin Ali, said that the sukuk fund marks a new chapter in advancing a more inclusive and impactful approach to waqf financing, while providing wider opportunities for contributors to support environmental conservation efforts through transparent Islamic financial instruments.

-- BERNAMA