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Tioman Island – In its commitment to strengthening the resilience of the nation’s marine life, Etiqa continues the Etiqa Marine Conservation Project 2025 by propagating 100 coral nubbins and conserving endangered turtle species in Tioman Island. Entering its fourth year of implementation, the project, which took place from 22 to 24 August 2025, brought together 50 Etiqa volunteers – comprising of 20 divers and 30 non-divers – who worked hand in hand with strategic partner LEGES Divers, marine experts from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), with strong support from the Department of Fisheries Malaysia.
This project is part of Etiqa’s ongoing commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) pillars, namely SDG-11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG-14: Life Below Water; and SDG-17: Partnerships for the Goals. Its objectives are to revitalise the marine ecosystem, raise public awareness on the importance of marine conservation, and drive sustainable socio-economic benefits for the local community.
Since its inception in 2022, the Etiqa Marine Conservation Project has shown positive progress in improving coral reef health in Kampung Salang. The conservation efforts have helped to reinforce coral resilience, including during the heatwave in 2024 that caused widespread coral bleaching. Coral reefs are an essential habitat for marine life and plays an important role in supporting the tourism industry in Tioman Island, thereby contributing to the economic growth of Kampung Salang.
This year, Etiqa volunteers maintained 27 coral restoration frames by cleaning them and propagated an estimated 100 coral nubbins to encourage growth and the recovery of reef areas in Kampung Salang. A new agenda introduced this year was the ‘Save the Turtle’ project, in collaboration with the Juara Turtle Project, Kampung Juara, aimed at preserving and conserving endangered species such as Hawksbill Turtles and Green Turtles.
In addition, as part of its community outreach efforts, Etiqa General Takaful Berhad has contributed a total of RM33,800 through its Amal Jariah fund to several community institutions in Tioman Island. For Sekolah Kebangsaan Juara, Kampung Juara, Etiqa contributed RM9,950 for the purchase of two 1.5hp air-conditioning units, four wall fans, ten carpets, and ten educational tablets. For Sekolah Kebangsaan Tekek, Kampung Tekek, Etiqa contributed RM9,750 for the purchase of a 42-inch television and ten steel lockers for students. Meanwhile, for Kampung Salang, Etiqa contributed RM14,100 for the installation of 14 solar flood lights, pipe and roof repairs, waterjet machines, and the installation of jetty signage. These contributions are aimed at providing a more conducive learning environment for students, while also improving community facilities for the well-being of the local population.
Shahrul Azuan Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of Etiqa General Takaful Berhad, said “The Etiqa Marine Conservation Project 2025 demonstrates our consistent commitment to preserving the nation’s marine treasures. Under the United Nations’ SDG pillars – SDG-11, SDG-14, and SDG-17 – we believe that marine life conservation will not only protects biodiversity but also strengthens the well-being of the communities who depends on it. This effort is in line with our corporate purpose of Making the World a Better Place. We also value the continuous support of our strategic NGO partners, academic and research institutions, as well as government agencies, who have worked alongside Etiqa to make this project a reality.”
Ahmad Zabidi Ismail, President of Kelab Legasi Selam Skuba (LEGES Divers), added “LEGES Divers deeply appreciates the trust and continuous support from Etiqa in preserving and conserving the marine ecosystem of Tioman Island. This collaboration allows us to leverage our technical expertise and field experience to ensure the project is implemented sustainably. Etiqa’s commitment not only strengthens the success of this project but also serves as an inspiration for more parties to come together in safeguarding the nation’s marine heritage.”
