Liberty General Insurance (Liberty) has been honoured with the Best Zakat Employer Award 2025 (Anugerah Majikan Terbaik Zakat 2025) by Pusat Pungutan Zakat – Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (PPZ-MAIWP) at a ceremony held on 6 November 2025 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. This prestigious recognition celebrates Liberty’s longstanding commitment to fostering a workplace culture rooted in responsibility, compassion, and collective community upliftment.

The award acknowledges Liberty’s meaningful role in promoting zakat contribution and awareness among its employees, and highlights the company’s dedication to embedding values of care and service throughout its organisation.

Commenting on the award, Puneet Pasricha, Chief Executive Officer of Liberty General Insurance Berhad, said “This award is a deeply meaningful recognition of the values we stand for at Liberty. It reflects the generosity and commitment of our Muslim colleagues, and the collective spirit of giving that continues to strengthen our organisation.”

Championing a Culture of Giving and Responsibility

Liberty has long advocated for the importance of zakat and wakaf contributions among its Muslim employees. Over the years, the company has rolled out ongoing internal awareness efforts and educational outreach to encourage voluntary participation, ensuring employees understand both the spiritual and social significance of their contributions.

These efforts are deeply aligned with Liberty’s broader people-first philosophy — grounded in the belief that progress happens when individuals feel supported, empowered, and connected to a greater purpose.

By cultivating a workplace environment that values compassion and shared responsibility, Liberty continues to strengthen its role as a responsible corporate citizen.

Supporting Community Health Through Zakat Wakalah

In 2025, Liberty channelled its Zakat Wakalah funds to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), supporting the organisation’s mission to provide affordable dialysis treatment to Malaysians in need. This contribution underscores Liberty’s commitment to promoting accessible healthcare and improving community welfare.

For Liberty, this partnership is an important expression of its commitment to supporting communities through purposeful and high-impact initiatives — ensuring that corporate contributions translate into genuine benefits for those who need it most.

Reinforcing Liberty’s Commitment to Social Impact

The Best Zakat Employer Award 2025 is another meaningful addition to Liberty’s growing list of recognitions in people development, culture, and community engagement. It sits alongside recent accolades in employee wellbeing, volunteering, and digital innovation, further strengthening the company’s reputation as a values-driven insurer with a strong sense of purpose.

As the organisation continues progressing on its mission to protect and empower individuals, families, and businesses across Malaysia, Liberty remains committed to deepening its zakat initiatives and expanding meaningful contributions that create lasting, positive impact.

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Regional Underwriting Structure

New leadership roles to deliver underwriting excellence across Asia Pacific

We’re sharing new leadership roles in our Asia Pacific underwriting structure across Singapore, Hong Kong, China, India, Malaysia and Australia.

As Liberty unites our retail, commercial and specialty operations, these regional leaders (all internal appointments) will drive coordinated underwriting excellence across the region under Mike Abdallah, who continues as CUO of Liberty International Insurance Asia Pacific.

Marcus Thomas is relocating from Sydney to Hong Kong as the CUO Commercial Asia and CUO Third Party Asia Pacific. Marcus will have product line direction and oversight for Casualty, Professional & Financial Risks, Cyber, Financial Risk Solutions, and Global Transactional Solutions across all Asia Pacific markets.

Brett Gardiner will be CUO Australia and CUO First Party Asia Pacific. Brett will have product line direction and oversight for Property, Energy, Construction, Terrorism, and Marine across all Asia Pacific markets.

Shawn Anderson is the Chief Product Officer for Auto, Accident & Health and personal lines for Asia.

Ben Hissey leads specialty products and has product line direction and oversight for Accident & Health (in Australia) Crisis Management, Agriculture & Weather, Surety, Liberty Portfolio Solutions, regional Reinsurance, and underwriting enablement.

Angelo Maniatis will lead Liberty’s risk engineering function across Asia Pacific.

These new appointments reflect our focus on being stronger together in Asia Pacific.

With Bank Negara Malaysia’s new Digital Insurer and Takaful Operator (DITO) framework paving the way for fully digital insurers, established players like Liberty General Insurance Berhad are re-evaluating how to remain competitive - without losing the human element that has long defined the industry.

For Liberty, digitalisation is not a threat, but a tool to enhance accessibility, speed, and service quality.

“We don’t see digital as a competitor versus traditional; we see it as an enabler,” said Grace Quah, Chief Distribution Officer of Liberty General Insurance. “Digital tools make us faster and more accessible, while our business partners make us personal and trusted.

Bringing Technology and Personal Service Together

Liberty has developed digital tools that integrate seamlessly with its traditional service model. Its One Touch app allows policyholders to request roadside assistance, track claims, review policy details, and receive renewal notifications, all with a few taps. Meanwhile, the OneUp Suite mobile platform equips Liberty’s business partners to issue motor, travel, and personal accident policies on the go, while monitoring new business and renewals in real time.

“Combining technology with human advice allows us to serve customers efficiently, without losing the personal engagement that matters most in certain areas or for specific customer segments,” Quah explained.

Expanding Inclusion Beyond Urban Centres

Despite forecasts that Malaysia’s insurance market could reach RM116 billion by 2030, nearly 10 million Malaysians and 600,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) remain underinsured. Liberty is tackling this gap through simplification, access, and education.

“Our digital tools make it easier for customers to engage with us, while our network of business partners ensures we can reach communities where digital adoption is limited,” Quah said.

Business partners are also trained to guide first-time policyholders, helping them understand not only insurance products but the broader importance of financial protection - bridging both the digital and knowledge divide.

Rebuilding Trust Through Transparent Claims

For many Malaysians, the claims process is the litmus test for trust in an insurer. Ronnie Chan, Chief Claims Officer at Liberty, said transparency and speed are central to the company’s transformation.

The insurer has introduced a video appraisal system for flood and vehicle damage, cutting assessment times from about a week to as little as two to three working days. Policyholders can track progress directly through the One Touch app, reducing uncertainty and improving confidence in the process.

“Transparency in claim settlement is our priority,” Chan said. “We provide clear explanations of how claims are assessed and multiple channels for queries, including the app and our website.”

Liberty has also formalised service expectations through its Claims Service Charter, which sets measurable standards for response times and communication.

Catering to Both Digital Natives and Traditional Customers

While fintechs and digital-first platforms appeal to younger, mobile-first Malaysians, Liberty’s strategy is to serve customers across life stages through choice and flexibility.

“Young Malaysians want instant access and simplicity - that’s what One Touch delivers,” Quah said. “But as their needs grow, they also seek guidance. Our approach is to offer both options, letting customers decide what works best for them.”

This dual approach allows Liberty to remain relevant to a wide demographic while retaining the personal touch that builds trust.

Regulation as a Catalyst, Not a Constraint

Quah and Chan both highlighted that Bank Negara’s DITO framework has raised industry-wide standards in governance, consumer protection, and operational resilience - areas where Liberty is already deeply invested.

“We see regulation not as a burden, but as a validation that innovation and customer protection must go hand in hand,” Chan said.

Liberty’s commitment to innovation and compliance has been recognised through awards such as the Insurance Asia Awards for Digital Transformation, reinforcing its alignment with both regulatory expectations and customer needs.

As Malaysia’s insurance sector moves toward a more competitive, digital-first landscape, Liberty’s approach underscores a central lesson: technology alone is not enough - trust and human connection remain key.

“Ultimately, it’s not about being the most digital or the most traditional,” Quah said. “It’s about being the most trusted.”

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What happens when compassion becomes a company culture? You get Liberty General Insurance (Liberty), a workplace where helping others isn’t just encouraged, it’s celebrated. And that spirit just earned them the Gold Award for Excellence in Employee Volunteerism at the HR Excellence Awards 2025, held at Hilton Kuala Lumpur on 10 October 2025.

Liberty’s Golden Moment

Liberty was also honoured as a Finalist for Excellence in Workplace Wellbeing, showcasing its deep dedication to employee happiness and holistic growth.

The Power Of “Serve with Liberty”

Liberty’s award-winning initiative, Serve with Liberty, is no ordinary corporate social responsibility programme, it’s a movement. Since 2012, Liberty’s passionate employees, fondly known as Liberty Torchbearers, have rolled up their sleeves to make meaningful change in communities nationwide. From cleaning beaches and improving schools to supporting underprivileged families, their mission is simple: make life better for others.

CEO Puneet Pasricha summed it up perfectly:

“Progress happens when people feel secure and empowered, and that belief extends beyond the workplace to the communities where we live and work.”

A Culture That Cares

Recognition as a Finalist for Workplace Wellbeing wasn’t just a happy coincidence. It’s the result of Liberty’s unwavering focus on creating a supportive, flexible, and inspiring work environment. With wellness programmes, flexible work options, and professional development opportunities, Liberty empowers employees to thrive, both personally and professionally.

Chief Talent Officer Yang Huei Yee expressed her pride, saying:

“People are at the heart of everything we do. We’re proud of our colleagues who make a positive impact at work and in the community.”

A Legacy Of Trust, A Future Of Hope

With more than 111 years of experience and the strength of its parent company, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, Liberty General Insurance continues to redefine what it means to be a purpose-driven organisation. Its commitment to wellbeing, inclusion, and community service stands as a beacon for what modern workplaces should aspire to be.

As Liberty continues to grow across Malaysia, with 36 branches, 1,600 employees, and a network of over 7,000 partners, one thing remains constant: a heartfelt belief that progress begins when people feel secure.

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