PRESS RELEASE
For immediate publication
FREE TAKAFUL PROTECTION FOR MORE THAN 10,000 UNDERPRIVILEGED HOUSEHOLDS
A PruBSN Prihatin Initiative to Protect Low Income Families Across Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, 2 August 2021 - Prudential BSN Takaful Berhad (PruBSN), through its charitable arm PruBSN Prihatin, is distributing close to 15,000 PruBSN Microtakaful Jariyah plans to low income families across Malaysia. In line with PruBSN’s purpose to help people get the most out of life, the Microtakaful plans will be provided to families in Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak. This initiative, the second leg of the distribution of PruBSN Microtakaful Jariyah plans this year, will be rolled out in collaboration with the Implementation Coordination Unit, Prime Minister’s Department (ICU JPM).
Puan Anita Menon, Vice President of PruBSN Prihatin noted that the low-income households are most vulnerable when adversity falls upon them in the event that the breadwinners lose their lives. It is very challenging for these families to cope with the sudden loss of income or to handle their expenses with limited savings. “This initiative was introduced in the hope that offering access to takaful protection would provide peace of mind to the underprivileged households in Malaysia. Funded by PruBSN’s zakat fund, our Microtakaful Jariyah plan offers basic coverage at zero cost. It is timely and essential for vulnerable communities across the nation, especially amid the COVID-19 outbreak.”
Entering its fourth year of operation, PruBSN Prihatin has once again fulfilled its social responsibility commitment by offering complimentary life takaful coverage to Malaysians. The PruBSN Microtakaful Jariyah plan will offer free basic takaful coverage for 12 months to selected heads of household (Ketua Isi Rumah, KIR) from low income groups across Malaysia.
Under this initiative, beneficiaries will receive RM10,000 in the event their family breadwinner passes away, channelled directly to their accounts. Eligible breadwinners are selected from the national poverty database, eKasih, managed by ICU JPM. eKasih serves the planning, implementing and monitoring purposes of national poverty programmes.
“PruBSN Prihatin has allocated RM2.24 million under this initiative in 2021 to provide takaful access to the vulnerable groups. Our strategic collaboration with ICU JPM since 2018 has benefited over 66,000 low-income households with a total death benefit pay out of RM1.64 million to date” added Anita.
The distribution of PruBSN Microtakaful Jariyah will be further implemented in tranches covering the Central Zone (Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan), Southern Zone (Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor), Northern Zone (Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis), East Coast Zone (Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu) and Sabah and Sarawak, benefitting a total of 28,000 families for the year 2021.
Datuk Nor Azri Bin Zulfakar, Director General of ICU JPM commented on this unique, first-of-its-kind initiative. “We are truly honoured to be a part of this initiative with PruBSN Prihatin to enable low-income groups in Malaysia to obtain basic coverage and protection in times of need. For the past 50 years, we have been striving and promoting unity and inclusivity amongst the Malaysian. We look forward to continuously working together with PruBSN Prihatin to make a difference within our community, especially that we are also celebrating our 50th anniversary this year
Anita added, “PruBSN is celebrating its 15th year anniversary this year. As Malaysia’s number one family takaful operator*, we remain focused on protecting the health and financial wellbeing of Malaysians to help build a stronger community. We have been steadfast in serving the community for the past 15 years and will continue to make healthcare more affordable and accessible in the years ahead.”
PruBSN Microtakaful Jariyah is PruBSN Prihatin’s largest flagship community program that reaches out to families in Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak. In the first leg of the Microtakaful distribution in March this year, PruBSN Prihatin offered PruBSN Microtakaful Jariyah plans to a total of 1,588 selected heads of household from the low-income groups in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan.
Find out more details on PruBSN Prihatin and PruBSN at www.prubsn.com.my
*Based on the data obtained from ISM Insurance Services Malaysia Berhad – ACE (Annual Contribution Equivalent) from January to February 2021