MIDF EXTENDS PROGRAM RUMAH MURNI MIDF TO HARDCORE POOR FAMILIES IN KOTA TINGGI

Johor Bahru, 20 April 2009– Ten hardcore poor families received the keys to their new homes as part of MIDF’s Program Rumah Murni. The keys were presented by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Hj. Abdul Razak, during a ceremony held at the MSAM 2009 exhibition in Johor Bahru today. .

Also present at the ceremony were MIDF Group Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Mahmood Taib and Encik Mohd Najib Hj. Abdullah, MIDF’s Group Managing Director.

This is the second phase of the programme, benefiting ten hard core poor families from the district of Kota Tinggi. Out of ten homes, eight were newly-built ones while the remaining two families had their homes repaired under the programme. The first phase, comprising of eight newly-built homes in Muar were handed over to the owners in November last year.

“Program Rumah Murni MIDF is another Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by MIDF to assist the Government in its undertaking to eradicate hardcore poverty in Malaysia by the year 2010. As with the first phase of the programme, the recipients are underprivileged families who lived in houses which were in a state of dilapidation or those who had lost their homes due to disasters like floods or fire. By rebuilding homes for these families, our hope is to enable them not only to improve their living condition but also to uplift the economic well-being of the families,” said Group Managing Director, Encik Mohd Najib Hj. Abdullah after the ceremony.

MIDF has spent over RM580, 000 overall to build homes for both phases of Program Rumah Murni. The homes were also equipped with basic furniture for the living, bedroom and kitchen areas to ensure a proper living environment.

“It is our belief at MIDF, that we should never allow our successes to blind us to the need of helping those less fortunate than ourselves. We hope that by providing those in need with the basic necessities to face the other challenges in their daily life, we will be giving them the means to create even better opportunities for themselves,” said Encik Mohd Najib at the ceremony.

MIDF’s corporate social responsibility efforts are based on education, and this is extended to Program Rumah Murni as well. “Program Rumah Murni is not just about building new homes or repairing existing ones. By providing a safe and comfortable shelter for these families, we are indirectly also providing their children with a more conducive environment for their evolvement,” Encik Najib said.

“Today’s ceremony marks the completion of the second phase of the “Program Rumah Murni MIDF” and we are currently planning the next phase of the programme. Nevertheless, we hope that other companies and organizations will embark on similar programmes in a collective effort to create a lasting solution to the problem of hard core poverty,” added Encik Najib.
Since its inception in 1960, the MIDF Group has been a strong contributor towards the country’s socio-economic growth. The group today is a diversified business organization which offers comprehensive financial and investment services through its core businesses.

Encik Mohd Najib added that apart from this initiative, MIDF had, through its other CSR programmes, contributed toward enhancing human capital capabilities amongst many quarters of the Malaysian society.

Last year, MIDF established a study corner for the children and residents of the Sri Sabah flats in Cheras, and later returned to the study corner to contribute books donated by MIDF staff. Over 180 students from schools in Kota Tinggi, Kuantan, Kuala Kangsar and Melaka were also presented with basic school necessities such as bicycles, school bags, stationeries and pocket money in an effort to ease the burden of their parents. MIDF also signed an agreement last year with UiTM’s Faculty of Art and Design in an effort to promote local arts and crafts by its students.

“As a financial institution that has always held a mandate for development, MIDF is proud to maintain a range of CSR programmes for the benefit of the society. From providing basic necessities to underprivileged children to rebuilding the homes of the underprivileged, MIDF is committed towards being a responsible corporate entity,” stated Encik Najib.