KUCHING: RHB Islamic Bank Berhad has become the first bank in the country and the Asia Pacific region to introduce an eco-friendly recycled plastic debit card.
The RHB Visa WWF Debit Card-i is a collaboration with WWF-Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT).
The card forms part of RHB Islamic’s initiative under its flagship initiative “Ocean Harmony” that aims to raise public awareness in the conservation and environmental sustainability of the marine ecosystem.
The first edition of the eco-friendly card features the Green Sea Turtle, one of the world’s most endangered sea creatures.
RHB Islamic managing director Datuk Adissadikin Ali said the recycled plastic card was the bank’s way of contributing directly to the conservation of ocean life through global affiliated NGOs such as WWF-Malaysia and UMT.
“Most discarded plastics end up in the ocean at the detriment of marine life. Customers are also given the option to support ocean life conservation by contributing up to 100 percent of their profit rate or ‘Hibah’ and channelling a donation of RM3 to support ocean research and development studies conducted by UMT,” he said.
Each new cardholder will also enjoy 10 percent discount on WWF-Malaysia merchandise purchase on its online shop, pandashop.my.
Adissadikin said the collaboration with WWF-Malaysia and UMT strengthened the bank’s position as a digital social capital enabler, allowing customers to contribute to worthwhile causes through digital platforms.
“The issuance of an eco-friendly debit card which carries a visual image of a Green Sea Turtle allows our customers to transition to more sustainable lifestyles, while their contributions give the much needed and renewed hope to life below water, which is an important and often an overlooked part of our environmental ecosystem,” he said.
The cards contain state-of-the-art contact and dual interface transaction technology for seamless payment convenience, offered by Idemia, a global leader in Augmented Identity (AI).
The RHB Visa WWF Debit Card-i will be made available to existing and new RHB customers next month.
WWF-Malaysia CEO Sophia Lim said WWF-Malaysia supported the collaboration with RHB’s “Ocean Harmony” initiative as he organisation believed that marine turtles played important roles in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems and their survival affected human survival in the long run.
“We are also pleased to be a part of this initiative together with RHB, as we see it as a good opportunity to showcase how industries can work together with us to conserve the environment and our marine life.”
“Furthermore, the marine turtle population is either endangered or critically endangered in Malaysia, due to egg consumption and trade, as well as poaching. Therefore, WWF-Malaysia strongly advocates strengthening turtle legislation for better protection,” she said.
UTM Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Nor Aieni Mokhtar said the smart partnership was the university’s contribution towards the development of youth.
“What is unique about this initiative is that it empowers students to become environmental champions. Through this initiative, tremendous opportunities will be created for our students to reach out to communities, enhancing ocean literacy among the public.
“Promoting ocean literacy is vital, as an ocean literate person will be able to understand the influence and function of the ocean and our life in relation to it, thus advocating towards greater awareness for the sustainable use of ocean resources and its conservation,” she said.
For more information on RHB Visa WWF Debit Card-i and to book your card visit www.rhbgroup.com
