Over 241,000 lives impacted since inception, driving progress in sustainability, education and welfare across communities
Over 18,000 Maybank employees worldwide came together for the 13th Maybank Group Global CR Day where they made a difference to over 20,000 community members across Maybank’s operational footprint, by continuing to play a role in positively impacting lives and the environment through sustainable initiatives.
Over 18,000 Maybank employees worldwide came together for the 13th Maybank Group Global CR Day and made a difference to over 20,000 community members across Maybank’s operational footprint, by continuing to play a role in positively impacting lives and the environment through sustainable initiatives. It is a one-day event for Maybankers to showcase their year-long commitment towards their Cahaya Kasih initiatives. It is believed to be the one of the largest single community programme undertaken simultaneously in one day, by a Malaysian-based corporation in a global scale.
Guided by the theme “Leading the Change in Sustainability”, Maybank Group Global CR Day is part of the Maybank Group’s flagship employee volunteerism programme, Cahaya Kasih (CK), a platform that enables and empowers Maybankers worldwide to come together as agents of change, leading the charge in driving environmental responsibility, empowering communities and education towards a more sustainable future.
The Maybank Group Global CR Day is a one-day event for Maybankers to showcase their year-long commitment towards their CK initiatives and it is believed to be the one of the largest single community programme undertaken simultaneously in one day, by a Malaysian-based corporation in a global scale.
This year, 96 initiatives were implemented across the Group, not only in Malaysia but also across its offices abroad – from New York, London, to Greater China, and across ASEAN – coming together, dedicating their time and passion to become forces for good.
The global initiative is in line with Maybank’s Sustainability Commitments namely to improving the lives of two million households across ASEAN by 2025, and achieving one million hours per annum on sustainability and delivering one thousand significant UN SDG-related outcomes by 2025.
Group Chief Human Capital Officer Maybank, Mazhatulshima Mohd Zahid, said that Maybank’s 13th Group Global CR Day reflects the Bank’s unwavering commitment to transforming lives, uplifting communities, and protecting the environment - aligning with the Group’s mission of Humanising Financial Services and reinforced through its M25+ strategy.
“Through the spirit of collaboration and community, we continue to champion one of the region’s largest corporate responsibility initiatives. In tandem with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, it underscores our commitment in tackling the challenges faced by people and communities. By implementing high-impact initiatives, we aim to uplift livelihoods, strengthen social resilience, and safeguard the environment across ASEAN and throughout the world.”
“Cahaya Kasih remains at the heart of our employee volunteerism efforts, designed to address real-world issues and equip underserved groups for the future and reaffirms our dedication to creating sustainable, long-term change. The structured two-year cycle enables us to deliver deeper impact—empowering people, nurturing communities, and advancing regional progress throughout the year.”
In Bidor, Perak, Chairman of Maybank, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa together with over 200 Maybankers launched the phase 1 of the Maybank and Forest Research Institute Malaysia’s (FRIM) five-year afforestation project as part of their ongoing dedication to restore a five-hectare ex-mining site at the FRIM Research Station in Bidor - signifying Maybank’s continued commitment to sustainability, biodiversity restoration, and carbon footprint reduction. 1,500 native trees were planted across two hectares in Phase 1, with the final 150 trees planted at the launching ceremony. The milestone signifies Maybank and FRIM’s concrete progress in restorative efforts, supported by environmental monitoring and community workshops to ensure the site’s long-term survival as well as carbon benefit and positive livelihood outcomes for the Bidor community.
L-R: Dato’ Dr. Ismail Parlan, Director General of FRIM, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Chairman of Maybank, Suresh Ramasamy, Regional Director, Maybank Perak, Datuk Shahril Azuar Jimin, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Maybank and Fawwaz Abdurrahman, Assistant District Officer (Community Development) at the launch of Phase 1 of the Maybank–FRIM Afforestation Project at the FRIM Research Station in Bidor, Perak.
In Cambodia, over 400 Maybankers took part in the “United for Stronger Communities: From mulberry roots to empowered women and rising generations,” initiative held at the Maybank Silk Weaving Training Centers in Takeo and Siem Reap. Volunteers planted over 2,000 mulberry trees - laying the foundation for sustainable silk weaving, equipped more than 100 women farmers and weavers with financial literacy - giving them confidence, independence, and stronger livelihoods and engaged with 100 children in sports, nurturing teamwork, unity, and joy while inspiring the next generation. Anchored by the Maybank Women Eco-Weavers programme, Maybank Cambodia’s initiative resonates with the efforts championed by Maybank Foundation, connecting the dots through the CK platform and brought greater impact to the existing programme whilst reinforcing Maybank’s broader commitment to sustainability and community empowerment.”
More than 2,000 mulberry trees were planted during the Maybank Group Global CR Day 2025 in Cambodia, led by Rath Sophoan, CEO & Country Head of Maybank Cambodia, together with over 400 employees at the Maybank Silk Weaving Training Center in Takeo and Siem Reap.
Meanwhile, 1,500 Maybankers in Singapore hosted The Kindness Market, an inclusive community pop-up marketplace held in collaboration with 14 community partners. The initiative supported over 2,000 lower-income families and seniors, empowering them with Kindness Credits worth S$100 each, enabling them to purchase groceries and household essentials with dignity while completing a simple budgeting exercise to encourage financial literacy. The event was attended by Hazlina Abdul Halim, Adviser to East Coast GRC Grassroots Organisation (Fengshan), Alvin Lee, Country CEO & CEO, Maybank Singapore, Maybank Singapore Limited Board members and Maybank Singapore’s Senior Management Committee. The programme not only uplifted vulnerable communities but also strengthened community bonds.
Farhan Samsudin, Chief Audit Executive of Maybank Singapore (right) handing a pre-loved backpack to a beneficiary at the Maybank Group Global CR Day 2025 ‘Kindness Market’ initiative in Singapore, an inclusive community pop-up marketplace in which the initiative supported over 2,000 lower-income families and seniors.
Elsewhere, members of the Board, senior management and employees at various locations around the world, came out in full force to take part in their respective initiatives which included tree-planting, food aid distribution, financial literacy workshops, and skills training and many more.
Rath Sophoan, CEO & Country Head of Maybank Cambodia (center), and Qazreen Chan Abdullah, Chief Operating Officer Maybank Cambodia (left), handed over a symbolic basket of mulberry saplings to Ngorn Vanntha, Founder of Color Silk Cambodia (right) — highlighting Maybank’s support for farmers and weavers in building sustainable livelihoods through silk production at the “United for Stronger Communities: From mulberry roots to empowered women and rising generations,” initiative in Cambodia.
The Group Global CR Day was first introduced in 2010, to commemorate Maybank’s five decade long of financial services. Over 10,000 employees took part in the inaugural event. The increasing number of participants reflects the strong team spirit among employees to come together and participate in such a unique global volunteerism programme.
Alvin Lee, CEO Maybank Singapore (second from left) and colleagues guiding an elderly beneficiary at the Maybank Group Global CR Day 2025 ‘Kindness Market in Singapore’, a large-scale initiative providing essentials and groceries to seniors and families.
The Group Global CR Day stands apart from typical CSR initiatives as it is employee-driven, year-long and regionally coordinated. Each initiative is designed by employees who understand the needs of their communities, ensuring authenticity and sustainability. With the support of Maybank Foundation and Maybank Group Human Capital, the programme consistently delivers measurable impact, making it one of the most comprehensive and coordinated employee volunteer movements in ASEAN.