New Agrobank Micro Branch In Sook To Benefit 31,000 Rural Residents

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- The opening of a new Agrobank micro branch in Sook, Keningau will benefit some 31,000 residents in the area, most of whom are engaged in agricultural activities.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the initiative is a strategic step to strengthen the banking ecosystem in rural areas and empower the local community.

He noted that the distance between settlements in Sook and the nearest banking facilities can take up to an hour’s travel, making it difficult for residents to access daily financial services.

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"Therefore, with the presence of an Agrobank branch in Sook, financial services will be closer and more easily accessible, thus supporting the economic growth of the rural community," he said in a statement.

Arthur, who is also the Member of Parliament for Pensiangan, said the opening of the branch underscores the government's commitment to ensuring rural residents also enjoy modern financial facilities relevant to their needs.

Meanwhile, Agrobank president and group chief executive officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin said the opening of Sook micro branch is in line with the bank's mission to ensure no community is excluded from the financial inclusion mainstream.

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"By opening this branch, we are committed to ensuring that no one is left behind in terms of financial inclusion. This also reflects our mandate to empower the unserved and underserved through various appropriate and inclusive financial solutions," he said.

The Sook branch is Agrobank’s 219th outlet, offering services including savings account opening, money transfers, utility payments, takaful and will products, automated teller machine (ATM) and cash deposit machine (CDM) facilities, as well as financial advisory services tailored to the needs of the local community.

-- BERNAMA