MERSING – Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (Bank Islam) has expanded its Smart Eco-PV Boat project with the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on fishing boats to support coastal communities in Penyabong here.
Through its social finance arm, Sadaqa House, the initiative is carried out in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and with support from Lembaga Tabung Haji, in line with Bank Islam’s efforts to strengthen sustainability and financial inclusion.
Bank Islam group chief executive officer Raja Datin Paduka Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz said the initiative reflects the bank’s conviction that sustainability must translate into measurable benefits for communities.
"By integrating renewable energy solutions into the fishermen’s daily operations, we are lowering costs, strengthening livelihoods and reducing environmental impact.
"More importantly, we are demonstrating how Islamic social finance can be mobilised to deliver practical, scalable and dignified outcomes for the underserved communities.
"The current rollout builds on the Bank’s pilot project introduced in 2024 in Perkampungan Sungai Muka Dua, Mersing, Johor where solar PV systems were installed on 21 fishing boats owned by B40 and underbanked fishermen, with a total project value of more than RM100,000," she said.
She added that the pilot project is a significant milestone as it is the first solar PV deployment dedicated specifically to fishing boats, rather than residential use and into productive income generating activity.
Supported by strategic collaborations with UTM, this approach enables Bank Islam to combine funding with technical expertise and capacity building to deliver scalable, real-world impact that accelerates Malaysia’s energy transition and inclusive socio-economic development.
Meanwhile, Bank Islam social finance director Mohd Zikri Mohd Shairy said in this phase, 25 fishing boats have been equipped with solar PV systems involving an allocation of nearly RM150,000.
"The installed systems can generate savings of between RM150 and RM200 per month in diesel costs used to power onboard equipment such as GPS, lights and water pumps while at sea.
"This will help strengthen the fishermen’s income stability, while also contributing to reduced carbon emissions, improved operational efficiency and the adoption of safer, more sustainable energy that supports marine conservation,” he said at the launch of the Fishing Boat Upgrade Project using Solar PV Technology at Penyabong Jetty here on Monday.
The event was officiated by Bank Islam group chief operating officer and group chief sustainability officer Mohamed Iran Moriff Mohd Shariff together with UTM Faculty of Electrical Engineering dean Professor Dr Jafri Din.
Zikri said the installation cost of the solar PV system is estimated at between RM6,000 and RM7,000 per boat, including lithium batteries which have a longer lifespan compared to conventional batteries.
"This initiative also creates opportunities for knowledge transfer and the adoption of renewable energy technology within the fishing community," he said.
In addition, Bank Islam has introduced initiatives to empower micro-enterprises owned by women entrepreneurs from fishing families, as well as upgrading shared infrastructure by installing awnings at the old jetty storage building to create a safer and more efficient space for storing, managing and repairing fish cages. The upgraded facility will benefit 105 members of the Penyabong Fishermen’s Association.
Beyond direct community benefits, the project also serves as a practical platform for knowledge transfer and hands-on learning for around 180 volunteers comprising lecturers and students from 13 local higher education institutions, including polytechnics, community colleges and technical institutions from Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Pahang and Selangor, who were involved in installing solar panels on the boats.
Zikri added that Bank Islam, through Sadaqa House, aims to expand similar projects to other fishing villages involving B40 and asnaf groups.
"Another project is expected to be implemented in Selangor by the end of this year," he said.