Lumut, 22 July 2025 – Etiqa General Takaful Berhad has successfully concluded the “Ghost Net & Beach Clean-up Project,” a high-impact marine conservation initiative held at Pulau Sembilan and Teluk Nipah Beach, Pulau Pangkor, Perak. The initiative was conducted in support of Takaful4All, a financial literacy and community outreach campaign led by the Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA).

Spearheaded by Etiqa General Takaful Berhad, the project was carried out in collaboration with the Malaysian Takaful Association, with the support of the Nature Ocean Advocate Society (NOAS), Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS), and Perak State Park (Taman Negeri Perak). The initiative builds on public awareness raised by the recent “Echoes of the Deep” photo exhibition launched at the AICB Knowledge Centre in Kuala Lumpur in June 2025.

A total of 328 kilograms of ghost nets were removed from the seabed surrounding Pulau Sembilan, while more than 125 kilograms of rubbish—including food wrappers, plastic bottles, and general litter were collected in Pulau Pangkor.

The project mobilised more than 80 participants, comprising 12 certified divers from Etiqa and MTA, 11 professional divers from NOAS, and 50 student volunteers from USAS. The combined effort covered both underwater and coastal clean-up operations, with the goal of reducing marine pollution and raising public consciousness on ocean health.

“In line with Etiqa’s vision of Making the World a Better Place, our commitment to sustainability goes beyond words—it is rooted in meaningful action. We are proud to lead this initiative at Pulau Sembilan and to be at the forefront of marine conservation within the Takaful industry.

The sea has long sustained our communities; now, it’s our turn to protect it for generations to come. Since 2022, Etiqa has championed ocean conservation through three Marine Conservation Projects in collaboration with marine experts. From coral health monitoring and educational workshops to community outreach, we are making waves where it matters most.” Encik Shahrul Azuan Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer, Etiqa General Takaful Berhad.

Ghost nets—abandoned or lost fishing gear—are often referred to as “silent killers of the sea.” These entanglements continue to trap marine life such as turtles, fish, and coral long after being discarded. If left unchecked, they damage coral reefs, pollute the ocean floor, and pose a significant threat to marine biodiversity.