Kuala lumpur: The Asnaf Youth Development Programme for Inclusive and Sustainable Individual Empowerment (Daya Insani), a collaborative effort by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) and Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (Bank Islam), is making strides by furnishing participants with practical skills and facilitating access to job opportunities upon completion of the programme.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bank Islam Social Finance director Mohd Zikri Mohd Shairy highlighted that the Daya Insani initiative deviates from traditional assistance programmes by focusing on empowering asnaf youths and orphans who have completed their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). This is achieved through a comprehensive approach that integrates skills enhancement with career preparation. The pilot project targets two significant sectors: manufacturing technology and nursing, in collaboration with Kulim Hi-Tech Skills Centre Academy in Kedah and Kolej Universiti Bestari in Terengganu.
Participants in the manufacturing sector will receive three months of intensive training, while those pursuing nursing will undertake a three-year diploma programme before joining the private hospital network under the KMI Healthcare Group. Mohd Zikri emphasized the holistic P.I.E.S (Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Spiritual) approach of the programme, which prepares participants for the working environment and provides a monthly allowance of RM500 to foster financial management skills.
Imran Mohammad Khayat, TH Group Syariah head, stated that the RM1 million pilot fund for Daya Insani was provided through Bank Islam's social finance initiative, Sadaqa House. This initiative, supported by zakat wakalah fund contributions from TH depositors, aims to deliver lasting impacts. Sadaqa House will monitor participants' progress and assess the programme's long-term effectiveness through a Social Return on Investment (SROI) impact assessment.
Imran further expressed hopes that participants would continue to contribute to national development and remain relevant in their industries. The programme's contributions reflect the broader role of Islamic financial institutions in Malaysia, extending beyond financial performance to enhance the socio-economic well-being of communities in need.
On May 29, TH allocated funds to Sadaqa House during the launch of the Bakat MADANI initiative by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan. With an initial fund of RM1 million, the Daya Insani programme aspires to empower, train, and guide asnaf youths and orphans through TVET, paving the way for sustainable livelihoods and economic independence.