'Only 40 per cent of Malaysians have insurance protection'

PONTIAN - Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan has estimated that only about 40 per cent of the population in Malaysia has takaful and insurance protection.

He attributed the low awareness of the importance of takaful and insurance to the need for the government to make various efforts to promote them.

Ahmad cited the "Insurans Tenang" scheme, a Family Takaful plan that provides cash assistance if someone is admitted to the hospital or passes away due to Covid-19, as an example of the government's efforts.

He also pointed out that only 5 per cent of the RM6.1 billion in losses incurred by flood victims in Shah Alam in 2021 were covered by insurance.

"Such a situation undoubtedly puts pressure on the government to assist flood victims in rebuilding their lives after the disaster.

"Therefore, efforts to explain the importance of insurance and takaful protection need to be made at schools, higher education institutions, villages, and urban areas.

"It is important to increase the percentage of takaful in the country," he said.

Ahmad made these remarks after inaugurating the Takaful Masuk Kampung Programme at the Kampung Puteri Menangis Homestay Hall in Ayer Baloi.

He added that the Malaysian Takaful Association had played a significant role in helping urban and rural communities participate in takaful and insurance programmes.

"This programme in Pontian is the fourth time it has been held in collaboration with the Pulai Sebatang State Assembly Office to raise public awareness about the importance of takaful and insurance protection," he said.

Meanwhile, Pulai Sebatang State Assemblywoman Hasrunizah Hassan said that her office provided takaful protection to 100 hardcore poor individuals last year.

"In addition, 17 village chiefs and three headmen in the Pulai Sebatang State Assembly Area have also been provided with insurance and takaful protection to safeguard their daily duties.

"This year, we have added 223 hardcore poor individuals who have been given insurance and takaful protection to protect them from unforeseen incidents," she said.