MCIS Life, one of Malaysia’s leading life insurance providers, continues to advance its position as a forward-thinking organisation by embedding sustainability at the core of its operations. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Prasheem Seebran, the company has taken bold steps to champion environmental responsibility, social inclusion, and ethical governance.
Seebran emphasised that sustainability is not a passing trend at MCIS Life but a fundamental principle guiding its strategies and decisions. The insurer’s sustainability roadmap is rooted in its ambition to address environmental challenges, mitigate climate change, and foster social equity—all aimed at securing a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come.
MCIS Life’s approach is framed around four key pillars: shared value creation focused on socio-economic development and climate change mitigation, integration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations across its operations, financial inclusion to empower underserved communities, and strategic partnerships to drive impact at scale.
What distinguishes MCIS Life is its commitment to stakeholder engagement. The company maintains an open dialogue through multiple platforms including customer service centres, employee town halls and consistent communication with regulators and shareholders. This ensures its ESG efforts remain aligned with stakeholder expectations. “By actively soliciting feedback and understanding stakeholders’ evolving needs, we ensure that our initiatives are impactful and relevant,” said Seebran.
MCIS Life’s environmental goals include reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing energy efficiency. The company has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. A key milestone was the launch of the MCIS Life Legacy Forest at Sireh Park in Johor Bahru in 2023. Over 6,000 endemic rainforest trees have been planted, which are expected to offset around 567 tonnes of carbon by 2029. This initiative reflects the company’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration.
Governance and transparency remain integral to the company’s sustainability strategy. Seebran affirmed that robust governance structures are in place to ensure accountability and compliance with ethical standards. The company provides regular training and awareness programmes for employees to instil a strong culture of transparency, integrity and ethical conduct. MCIS Life also adheres to Fair Treatment of Financial Consumers (FTFC) practices, underscoring its commitment to responsible communication and business operations.
The company further invests in its employees through continuous training and development, fostering a high-performance and inclusive workplace. “We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected,” said Seebran, highlighting MCIS Life’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
Volunteering is encouraged among staff to build morale and purpose. MCIS Life views this as an opportunity for employees to contribute meaningfully to social causes. “By engaging in community initiatives, our employees support issues aligned with our core values,” Seebran added.
MCIS Life integrates ESG principles into its insurance solutions as well. Recognising the gap in insurance coverage for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the company introduced the SME Care+ product in September 2023. This innovative product offers comprehensive protection tailored to the needs of SME owners, with guaranteed rates for the first two years. Additionally, its modular protection plans allow organisations to customise coverage that includes death, total and permanent disability, critical illness, retrenchment and hospital income—ensuring flexibility and affordability.
Customer experience remains a priority for the insurer, driven by innovation and personalisation across digital touchpoints. These enhancements improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, and accelerate product development tailored to customer needs.
In investment, MCIS Life upholds sustainable finance practices by limiting exposure to non-ESG-compliant activities to just 10% of its portfolio. The company continues to refine its investment strategy in alignment with evolving ESG benchmarks, contributing to long-term environmental and social progress.
Community engagement is a cornerstone of MCIS Life’s sustainability agenda. Collaborations with local authorities and non-governmental organisations aim to drive collective impact. In early 2024, MCIS Life participated in the Hari Terbuka Taman Jaya 2024, partnering with the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to plant 60 saplings in Taman Jaya Park.
The MCIS Life Purple Truck initiative, launched in 2022 in partnership with the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), exemplifies the insurer’s commitment to healthcare access. The truck delivers essential medical services, including cancer screenings such as clinical breast examinations, pap smears, and faecal occult blood tests, alongside educational sessions and doctor consultations. Equipped with solar power and wheelchair accessibility features, the Purple Truck underscores MCIS Life’s drive for inclusive and energy-conscious community solutions. As of 2024, the initiative has conducted more than 21,000 health screenings across the country.
At the NCSM’s Relay for Life event on 24 November 2024, MCIS Life further contributed to the cancer awareness campaign by offering complimentary screenings to participants, reinforcing the importance of early detection and community support.
In recognition of its efforts, MCIS Life was awarded the Sustainability and CSR Award in the ‘Community and Environment Care’ category in 2024.
Seebran reiterated the organisation’s enduring dedication to sustainability, viewing it as a long-term journey rather than a destination. “Sustainability is not just a goal. It is a journey of creating positive change and leaving behind a legacy for our planet and society,” he said.
With its holistic and inclusive approach to sustainability, MCIS Life continues to set a benchmark in the Malaysian insurance sector, inviting others to join in building a more equitable and resilient future.
-The Edge Malaysia
