Kuala Lumpur, 15 September 2021

Malaysian AEON Foundation (MAF) launches ‘Sayap Bagimu’, a sustainability initiative for the nation today.

AEON’s aspiration for ‘Sayap Bagimu’ is based on the spirit of succeed together through the support for those in need, especially in this pandemic situation and living in a new norm.

Under the key initiative of ‘Sayap Bagimu’, there are various branches of sustainability programmes which includes Education, Community Service, Personal Development and Creative Communications, Development of Small and Medium Industries (SMEs) and many more.

In facing this pandemic, online learning has become a new necessity. From a survey conducted by the Ministry of Education Malaysia involving 900,000 students, it was found that 36.9% of them do not have any electronic devices.

In an effort to help bridging the education gap for affected students to have equal learning opportunities and with a commitment to strengthen their readiness in realising the aspiration towards developing Malaysia as a digital nation, MAF spearheaded ‘Sayap Bagimu’ (Education) with a contribution of 2,000 units Samsung Galaxy Tab T295 worth RM1 million sponsored by AEON CO. (M) BHD.

The Phase 1 contributions were handed over to Form 5 students from eligible B40 families in seven states, namely the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Perak and Sarawak. All items were handed over through their respective state education departments involving 292 schools.

The ‘Sayap Bagimu’ initiative also witnessed the involvement of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) through Yayasan TM as the Main Partner, which provides free unifi Mobile internet connection for 12 months. Meanwhile, Yayasan Peneraju supports in handling free online tuition programme for three months through Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa.

Shafie Shamsuddin, Deputy President of MAF cum Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AEON said, “We at AEON are very grateful for the opportunity to play our role in helping students in need. We are aware and always concerned about the challenges faced following the implementation of home-based teaching and learning (PdPR), hence the ‘Sayap Bagimu’ initiative for the benefits of these students so nobody is left behind.”

“We are full of gratitude for the support and cooperation by the Ministry of Education, State Education Departments and District Education Offices, Principals and Teachers. We are also grateful to Yayasan TM, who is our Main Partner and our Supporters, Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa as well as Yayasan Peneraju who have been working with us closely on ‘Sayap Bagimu.’ Hopefully, through this initiative, the students will spread their wings and fly high for a better tomorrow “, said Shafie again.

Izlyn Ramli, Director of Yayasan TM said, “We are happy to collaborate with MAF for such a noble effort in helping students in need not to be left behind and to receive the same quality of learning as their peers. TM through YTM will continue to provide support for corporate partners in the national and community development efforts. As the driver of Digital Malaysia, we are always ready to help Malaysians gain access to the digital world no matter where they are and regardless of their background.”

For ‘Sayap Bagimu’ (Education) Phase 2, MAF targets to contribute another 2,000 units of electronic devices through ongoing fundraising.

The virtual launch ceremony was officiated by Senator Datuk Dr. Mohd Radzi Md Jidin, Minister of Education, Malaysia.

Also present were Dato’ Haji Pkharuddin Haji Ghazali, Director of the Examination Board, Performing Duties of the Deputy Director General of Education of Malaysia (Policy & Curriculum Sector); Datin Noryahwati Mohamad Noh, President of MAF cum Managing Director, AEON Delight (M) Sdn. Bhd; Shafie Shamsuddin, Deputy President of MAF cum Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AEON CO. (M) BHD; Izlyn Ramli, Director, Yayasan TM; Associate Colonel (Civil Defense) Technologist Mohd Muzzammil Ismail, Chief Executive Officer, Yayasan Peneraju; Wong Kin Lun, Chief Executive Officer, Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa; State Education Directors, District Education Officers, Principals, Teachers, media representatives and many more.

The ‘Sayap Bagimu’ initiative is in line with AEON’s efforts to uphold the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations where one of its focus is on Quality Education (SDG 4). It focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

To better serve the community sustainably and inclusively, AEON Group Malaysia is also applying for a digital banking license via AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad. AEON Group Malaysia envisions the digital bank to be game changing in supporting the underserved and underbanked in need of uplifting by connecting these groups to the AEON ecosystem holistically. The ability to integrate banking capabilities to the customer ecosystem, both from a consumer and producer lens, will be pioneering in Malaysia.