After having piloted the Mykad cashless welfare system successfully in December 2008, and having obtained approval from Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara, Kementerian Dalam Negeri, Perbadanan Ekonomi Digital Malaysia and Bank Negara Malaysia, MyKasih Foundation was born.
My wife and I established MyKasih Foundation in 2009 with the sole purpose of assisting families in need. Pivoting from the traditional food basket model, our aid distribution methodology leveraged on the chip technology embedded in Malaysia’s identity card (MyKad).
Our first initiative was Love My Neighbourhood — a food aid programme that empowers recipients with the freedom to choose what they need for their families. The values that inspired MyKasih’s approach to welfare are deeply rooted in my personal experience. In childhood, I experienced hunger — and, just as vividly, the power of a community that cared.
Under this flagship food aid programme, families in need can purchase groceries via an efficient cashless payment system, powered by chip technology embedded in their MyKad.
In 2012, through a student bursary programme called Love My School, the foundation extended its support into classrooms — offering children the chance to participate in daily school life with a sense of independence. Here, the same proprietary technology enabled students to buy meals at the canteen and stationery from the school bookstore. Other enrichment initiatives supported by the foundation include digital literacy, sports development and STEM education (robotics and aquaponics).
Since then, MyKasih has collaborated with government ministries, zakat agencies, private corporations, and non-governmental organisations — expanding its efforts beyond cashless aid distribution to include health screenings, educational and sports support in more than 100 primary and secondary schools, and livelihood opportunities through skills and entrepreneurship training.
After 15 years, MyKasih’s food aid and school programmes now operate across Malaysia, supporting communities from all walks of life. In addition to managing CSR programmes for more than 20 private sector donors, MyKasih has also been appointed by the Federal Government to deliver Program Sumbangan Asas Rahmah to 5.4 million recipients. To-date, almost RM2 billion has been mobilised to more than 6 million recipients nationwide.
As the welfare landscape evolves and challenges the way aid gets distributed in an efficient, secure and transparent manner, the foundation remains guided by a simple, powerful belief: when people are treated with care and respect, communities blossom and thrive.
Tan Sri Dr. Ngau Boon Keat & Puan Sri Jean Ngau