Published: Wednesday May 28, 2014 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Wednesday May 28, 2014 MYT 7:15:53 AM
Updated: Wednesday May 28, 2014 MYT 7:15:53 AM
Three become instant millionaires in special draw
(From left) Idayu, Bank Islam Consumer Banking head Mujibburrahman Abd Rashid, Hafiz, Bank Islam managing director Datuk Seri Zukri Samat, Idrus and Khairul holding the mock cheques and smiling for the camera at Menara Star, Petaling Jaya.
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PETALING JAYA: Saving for a rainy day turned out to be the best decision for three people when they became millionaires overnight because of it.
Idayu Idris, 34, Mohd Hafiz Abd Khalib, 30, and Mohammad Idrus Ibrahim, 27, were the lucky trio picked during a special draw organised by Bank Islam for its Al-Awfar account holders.
Hafiz, who hails from Kelantan, said he could not believe it when his friend told him of his win in the bank’s Al-Awfar “Fast Lane To Become A Millionaire” campaign.
“I couldn’t sleep the first few nights after that,” he said.
“The first thing I’ll do is contribute to zakat and invest a portion of the money by opening an Al-Awfar account for each of my four children to teach them how to save.”
For Idayu, the lucky break came at just the right time because her family will be moving house soon and need the cash to equip their new home.
“I discipline myself to deposit cash (in the bank) whenever I have some extra in hand, but I never expected to win money with my savings account,” said the homemaker from Rawang.
“Apart from getting new home appliances, we will save some of the winnings for the children’s education.”
Idrus, a technician from Bintulu, said he thought it was a scam when someone from Bank Islam called to tell him the good news. It was only when he got a letter from the bank that he believed his good fortune.
“I don’t know what to do with so much money but I’m thinking about it. I want to take my family on a pilgrimage to Mecca first,” he said.
Twenty other Bank Islam customers won a cash prize of RM10,000 each during the campaign.
The aim of the campaign was to encourage more Malaysians to save money, said Bank Islam director Khairul Kamarudin.
“Instead of spending with credit cards and taking car loans, we want people to save,” he said at the prize-giving ceremony yesterday.
Any Malaysian can take part in the campaign by opening an Al-Awfar savings account with a minimum deposit of RM1,000. Existing Al-Awfar account holders have to top up with a minimum deposit of RM1,000 to participate.
