KLCoE and INCEIF University Partner to Strengthen Malaysia’s Third Sector

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 16 December 2025 — The IsDB Center of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur (KLCoE), in collaboration with INCEIF University, successfully co-organised a knowledge-sharing event titled “Third Sector Empowerment: Driving Social Transformation in Malaysia”.  The event brought together over 40 key stakeholders to position the third sector—comprising NGOs, cooperatives, and social enterprises—as a strategic pillar for the nation’s inclusive development.

The timing of the event is particularly significant as Malaysia prepares for the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), where the Ministry of Economy has identified third-sector empowerment as a critical engine for "Raising the Floor" of socioeconomic standards. Participants in the knowledge sharing event included representatives from religious authorities, waqf institutions, Islamic banks, and senior officials from the Ministry of Economy.

The programme commenced with a welcoming remark by Prof. Dato’ Dr. Azmi Omar, President of INCEIF University, who emphasized that the third sector is vital for balancing societal development alongside the public and private sectors.

Representing KLCoE, Mr. Syed Faiq Najeeb, Lead Islamic Finance Specialist, highlighted the IsDB Group’s commitment to Islamic social finance. He showcased successful international examples where Awqaf and digital transformation have significantly scaled the impact of social initiatives in several Muslim countries.

 A high-level panel, moderated by Professor Dr. Amir Shaharuddin (Director of the Center of Excellence on Islamic Social Finance at INCEIF), explored the evolving landscape of civil society. The panel featured:

• Dato’ Sri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman, Chairman of Islamic Relief Malaysia
• Dato’ Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Azrin, CEO of the State Religious Council of Terengganu
• Mr. Mohd Syazwan Nasir, Head of Strategy and Investments at Waqaf An-Nur Corporation

The discussion focused on the necessity of robust governance and sustainable funding. The panellists noted that the integration of digital waqf and transparent reporting is no longer optional but a necessity for scaling social impact in the modern economy. The panelists collectively advocated for a "whole-of-society" approach to address poverty and education gaps.

The event concluded with advocating a clear roadmap to transition from dialogue to action which will mainstream third sector in Malaysia. Overall, the participants significantly appreciated the knowledge sharing event which marked an important milestone in bridging the gap between academia, development institutions, and policymakers to drive a sustainable, value-based social transformation in Malaysia.