Click on the image to view more.
02 August 2019
Maybank Celebrates Global Tiger Day 2019
It was estimated that there were 3,000 Malayan tigers in the 1950’s. However, the population of Malayan tigers in Malaysia dropped tremendously to less than 200 individuals in 2018 due to illegal poaching and habitat loss. The 12 tiger range countries including India, Russia and Malaysia, among others, were united in wanting to conserve tigers by committing to a visionary goal of “TX2” which is to double the number of tigers globally by 2022, the next year of the tiger. Global Tiger Day, celebrated annually on 29th July, is a unified effort from the 12 tiger range countries to promote a global system for protecting the natural habitats of tigers and to raise public awareness and support for tiger conservation issues.
In conjunction with Global Tiger Day 2019, Maybank continues to do its part in supporting tiger conservation efforts in Malaysia, as one of the tiger range countries. As part of this celebration, Maybank Foundation held the ‘ROAR FOR LIFE – Malayan Tiger Run’ and ‘MyTIGER Values’ Art Competition and Exhibition.
On 28 July 2019, Maybank Foundation together with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia organised the first ever obstacle fun run titled ‘ROAR FOR LIFE – Malayan Tiger Run’ at IOI City Mall.
Joined by more than 4,000 runners and other key stakeholders, the Malayan Tiger Run was a clear declaration of intent by the members of the public for the survival of the Malayan tigers.
Attending the event were YB Dr. Xavier Jayakumar, Minister of Land, Water and Natural Resources; YBhg Datuk Zurinah Pawanteh, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Land, Water and Natural Resources; YBrs Dr. Mohd Moktar Tahar, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Land, Water and Natural Resources; Dato’ Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, Director General of Department of Wildlife and National Parks; Datuk Mohaiyani Shamsudin, Chairman of Maybank and Maybank Foundation; Datuk Abdul Farid Alias, Group President and CEO of Maybank; En. Shahril Azuar Jimin, CEO of Maybank Foundation and Ms. Sophia Lim, Executive Director and CEO of WWF-Malaysia.
“We are going to give full concentration to save this majestic animal of ours; the Malayan tiger.”
YB Dr. Xavier Jayakumar
Minister of Water, Land and National Resources
“The tigers have inspired us in so many ways. The national coat of arms or jata negara – carries two tigers which symbolise bravery. The tiger, which is our Maybank logo, also resembles strength and power. I am sure we are all proud of this national treasure, and have great respect and admiration for this majestic creature.”
Datuk Mohaiyani Shamsudin
Chairman of Maybank and Maybank Foundation
“We are very overwhelmed with the enthusiastic support from the public for the tiger run this year, and this tells us that people are very much aware and concerned for the future of our Malayan tigers. We have definitely achieved our key objective, which was to bring together people who are ready to be a voice for tigers through this event. The launch of the tiger pledge is to ensure this awareness can translate into action, and be a vehicle of change for tigers.”
Sophia Lim
Executive Director and CEO, WWF-Malaysia
“As an animal lover myself, I feel that it’s important for conservation efforts to continue, not just because the Malayan tiger is an iconic animal for our country, but also for future generations. I do not want my generation to be known as the cause of the Malayan tiger’s extinction.”
Syafiqah Bisnu
Runner in the Malayan Tiger Run
During the same event, WWF-Malaysia had also launched the Malayan Tiger Pledge, an initiative aimed at mobilising society’s support for ongoing tiger conservation effort in our country. Maybank is in support of the pledge, rallying more than 43,000 of its employees to sign the pledge.
