PDO CSR initiatives impact 18 NGOs in Oman

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has boosted its support for the community by launching a new volunteering initiative which allows staff to give their services free to non-governmental organisations and charities.

A total of 250 employees have signed up to the Baader* (بادر) project, which grants them up to seven working days off work per calendar year to engage in helping those in need.

Eighty PDO staff have already begun work with eight NGOs including the Oman Cancer Association, Dar Al Atta, the Oman Association for the Disabled, the Oman Down Syndrome Association, the Early Intervention Association and the Al Noor Association for the Blind. Projects to date include setting up a new centre and building a new website for the Oman Down Syndrome Association, the donation and connection of 12 decommissioned computers to the Association for Early Intervention for Children with Disabilities, developing a membership database for the Oman Association for the Disabled, education, outreach, training and support programmes for the Oman Cancer Association, and backing a beach cleanup at Al Ghubrah for the Environment Society of Oman.

PDO External Affairs Director Abdul-Amir Al Ajmi said: “PDO has a vast pool of skill and capability in many disciplines and we believe we should put some of this at the country’s disposal in line with our obligations as a good corporate citizen. The Baader project is part of the Company’s ongoing support for creating a better world and I am delighted so many of our staff have stepped up to show the true spirit of compassion at PDO.”

The company also signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to fund activities of 18 NGOs over the next 15 months.

PDO Managing Director Raoul Restucci said: “PDO’s social investment initiatives are directed at where we can make a tangible, positive and lasting difference the lives of Omanis by targeting our funds, skills and expertise at those who most need them. “Through these latest initiatives, and with the sterling backing of our staff, we are proud to be able to support so many worthy groups which contribute so much to helping the disadvantaged and the wider community and environment.”

The 18 NGOs which PDO has committed to support through the MoUs are: the Oman Cancer Association, Dar Al Atta, the Early Intervention Association, Al Noor Association for the Blind, the Oman Association for the Disabled, the Environment Society of Oman, the Hereditary Blood Disorder Association, the Oman Down Syndrome Association, the Children First Association, the Association for the Welfare of Handicapped Children, the Oman Diabetes Association, the Oman Alzheimer’s Society, the Oman Road Safety Association, the Omani Association for Elderly Friends, the Oman Society of Engineers, the Omani Astronomical Association, the Geological Society of Oman, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (Oman).

*Baader means to take the initiative, begin a good deed in Arabic.

AmBank says it respects shari'ah laws, no LGBT promotion in Malaysia

The AmBank Group has refuted NGO Jaringan Melayu Malaysia's claims that it supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Malaysia. On November 12, media such as the Malay Mail reported that JMM had accused AmBank of promoting LGBT rights and culture in Malaysia, a Muslim country where such rights and culture are not recognised.

AmBank Group clarified in a statement that the group "respects the shari'ah laws of Malaysia and as a responsible corporate citizen we adhere to the strict governance and guidelines of banking, insurance and takaful. We respect the sensitivities of the various communities with different religious beliefs and practices. This is in line with our value proposition of being Malaysia’s bank that understands the needs of the Malaysian community. AmBank Group are not involved in promoting or encouraging lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) practices as reported in the media."

JMM claims that AmBank is promoting LGBT lifestyles partly because of MetLife's publicly-stated support of LGBT lifestyles in the US. AmBank noted that its joint venture partner MetLife is incorporated in the US and therefore governed by the laws of the US.

"Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, it is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Serving approximately 100 million customers with operations in nearly 50 countries, MetLife respects the local laws, traditions and culture of the markets it serves," the statement continued.

"AmBank Group particularly, AmMetLife Insurance Berhad and AmMetLife Takaful Berhad operate and are governed independently under the laws of Malaysia and are not endorsing any practice that breaches any laws, including shari'ah law."

CIMB Islamic Bank donates RM1 million to MERCY Malaysia for Gaza effort

CIMB Islamic Bank has donated RM1,000,000 to MERCY Malaysia, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which has been providing relief in the Gaza Strip.

The donation will be used by MERCY Malaysia to provide immediate medical assistance as well as to assess other requirements, such as food and nutritional needs. The donation will also be channelled to fund MERCY Malaysia’s collaborative works with United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), an agency which provides services encompassing education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. 

Badlisyah Abdul Ghani, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, CIMB Islamic Bank (second from left) handing over a mock cheque to Dato' Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus, President of MERCY Malaysia (third from left), to mark the bank's donation of RM1 million to Gaza relief efforts. Looking on are Ahmad Faezal Mohamed, Executive Director of MERCY Malaysia (left) and Hartini Zainudin, Country Representative for UNRWA in Malaysia (right).

Badlisyah Abdul Ghani, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, CIMB Islamic Bank, handed over a mock cheque to Dato' Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus, President of MERCY Malaysia in a ceremony held at the bank’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Also present were Ahmad Faezal Mohamed, Executive Director of MERCY Malaysia and Hartini Zainudin, Country Representative for UNRWA in Malaysia.

“We hope that our contribution will aid towards bringing relief to those in need. More importantly, we pray for the end of the conflict and violence
as too many innocent lives have perished,” said Badlisyah.

“We are thankful for the unceasing work that these NGOs perform to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians and refugees. We hope that more corporates and Malaysians in general will support these NGOs by donating to their relief funds.”