KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama) — Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia (KDYMM) Sultan of Terengganu, Al-Wathiqu Billah Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, graced the official launch of the Wakaf for Environmental Sustainability: Terengganu Turtle Conservation and RHB Sukuk Dana Hafeez at The Westin Kuala Lumpur on 4 August 2025. The event marked a new strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and RHB Islamic Bank Berhad (RHB Islamic) for the Wakaf for Environmental Sustainability: Terengganu Turtle Conservation,with the objective of advancing the turtle conservation initiative.
As a significant first step, RHB Islamic International Asset Management Berhad (RHBIIAM) introduced the RHB Sukuk Dana Hafeez, a Shariah-compliant sukuk investment fund. Returns generated from this fund will be fully channelled into UMT’s Wakaf Fund for Education and Welfare, with the aim of supporting the long-term sustainability of the Wakaf for Environmental Sustainability: Terengganu Turtle Conservation initiative. This collaboration positions RHB Islamic and RHBIIAM as key corporate partners in mobilising sustainable funding for both education and environmental preservation.
The strategic partnership leverages UMT’s expertise in turtle research and conservation through its Sea Turtle Research Unit (SEATRU) and its Turtle Research Station at Chagar Hutang, Pulau Redang, combining it with RHB Islamic and RHBIIAM’s experience in developing Shariah-compliant financial instruments and high-social impact funds.
In his welcoming address, UMT Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim, emphasised three core objectives of the initiative:
1. To institutionalise cash wakaf (wakaf tunai) as a sustainable development tool grounded in Islamic economic principles;
2. To provide continuous support for research and education in environmental conservation; and
3. To raise community awareness, particularly among youth, on the importance of biodiversity stewardship.
The Wakaf for Environmental Sustainability: Terengganu Turtle Conservation programme is Malaysia’s first wakaf-based model focused specifically on marine life preservation. It is envisioned to become a new benchmark for wakaf-based approaches in environmental conservation, in line with Islamic values that regard the protection of nature as a sacred trust.
Dato’ Adissadikin Ali, Managing Director of RHB Islamic, said, “The launch of RHB Sukuk Dana Hafeez reinforces the role of Islamic finance in driving sustainable development and environmental conservation. It reflects our commitment to strategically deploy Shariah-compliant financial instruments that deliver meaningful impact to our environment and community.”
Mohd Najman Md Isa, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of RHBIIAM, added, “The RHB Sukuk Dana Hafeez is a wholesale fund where 100% of the income generated will be channelled into UMT’s Wakaf Fund for Education and Welfare, with the aim of supporting the long-term sustainability of the Wakaf for Environmental Sustainability: Terengganu Turtle Conservation initiative. This initiative reflects RHBIIAM’s sustainability practices, specifically on the 14th United Nation Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) – Life Below Water.”
This collaboration between the state Islamic religious council, academic and corporate sectors reflects the shared commitment of RHB Islamic, RHBIIAM and UMT to empowering the great potential of wakaf to shape a more sustainable future for both people and the planet, in line with ESG principles and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).