Putrajaya, 29 August 2008 ¿ In conjunction with the nation's 51st National Day, Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Berhad (KFHMB) has stepped in to celebrate the occasion by contributing to the greening of Putrajaya, and as part of its efforts to play a significant role in Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR). A small ceremony was held this morning, in which Encik Ab Jabar Ab Rahman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, KFHMB who represented the Bank's Managing Director, Y. Bhg. Dato' K. Salman Younis, planted the 51st tree of the Pteleocarpa lamponga (Tembusu tikus) species at Taman Monumen Alaf Baru in Precint 2. Another 50 trees will be planted along Persiaran Timur in Putrajaya. Also present were Encik Baharuddin Aziz, Acting Director, Department of Landscape and Parks, Putrajaya Corporation deputising Y. Bhg Tan Sri Dato' Samsudin Osman, President, Putrajaya Corporation and Senior Management from both Putrajaya Corporation and KFHMB.

Delivering the address on behalf of Dato' K. Salman Younis, Ab Jabar stated, "As practitioners in Islamic banking, we view CSR very seriously. In order to maintain the good relationships between human beings, Islam has laid down universal fundamental rights for humanity, which should be observed and respected in all circumstances. Fulfilling and recognising these human rights in businesses, are areas in CSR that are recognised by Islam."

He mentioned that the CSR initiatives of KFHMB support core causes and community programmes involving KFHMB employees on school landscaping projects. "Apart from planting trees, Kuwait Finance House has embarked on other CSR initiatives such as community programmes involving our employees, as well as their families. Citing an example is our School Landscaping Project which we commenced last month and will benefit six schools in the State of Selangor. We contribute plants and trees to selected schools with the objective of beautifying and enhancing the garden areas, as well as providing shade for the school children."

"This programme is in conjunction with One Birth, One Tree Planting Campaign by the National Landscape Department and also one of the criteria of the Local Government's Star Rating System for the Quality Award. To-date, 16,000 trees have been planted in Putrajaya," highlighted Encik Baharuddin Aziz who delivered the speech on behalf of Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Samsudin Osman.

Last year, KFHMB broke new ground in Putrajaya when the Bank contributed 50 "Golden Chain Trees" or "Lophanthera Lactescens Trees" in conjunction with the 50th National Day Celebrations. Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi, planted the 50th tree at Putrajaya Garden and the remaining 49 Golden Chain Trees were planted at Taman Wetlands in Putrajaya.