Extracts from the Address of the Chairman,

Mr Goh Ching On

at the Second Annual General Meeting held on 04 May 2001

Since the inaugural launch of the Society on 15 December, 1998 by YM Tunku Ya'acob bin Tunku Abdullah, the Chairman of National Insurance Association of Malaysia. The Society managed to carry out activities to benefits its members despite many constraints.

The strongest motivating factor for the formation of this Society was the need for a forum for the claims managers and claims examiners in the industry to meet regularly and discuss issues concerning claims services and other matters concerning fraud and claims leakage. NICS will provide a platform for the members to exchange ideas and an opportunity to network effectively.

NICS managed to organize a Luncheon gathering on June 2000 at Shangri-la Hotel. On August 2000 a Hi-Tea gathering was arranged at The Regent Hotel and a talk was given by the Chairman of Motor Sub-Committee of PIAM, En Syed Moheeb on the present status of Motor Data Research Consortium (MRC) in Relation to Motor Loss Adjusting for the Industry. Another successful Hi-Tea gathering held on November 2000 at the Concorde Hotel and NICS have invited a Guest Speaker, Mr Cho Chee Seng of Sun Thong Yik Workshop from Perak to give a talk on the topic "The Chairman's Vision for the Year and Building A Bridge Between Workshop and Insurance". In addition, a Cocktail reception organized in September 2000 at the Concorde Hotel.

The response was overwhelming not only with participation from Claims Dept of NIAM member companies but also from non-NIAM member companies. With this success and astounding response, the Claims Society has decided to make these gatherings to be organized as a quarterly event. Also the Society believes that these gathering sessions will further enhance interaction between members and exchange of knowledge as well as dissemination of latest claims information.

NICS will also endeavour to enhance the professional image of claims personnel and will thus strive for better recognition. We must accept the fact that the most effective way of achieving this objective is to improve the skill and knowledge of claims personnel are 'knowledge workers' with the capability to handle any claims with zero error. Whilst, the industry can provide to the clients value-added claims services in term of quality service or from company perspective to prevent claims leakage.

In 1999, MII together with AMLA invited NICS to participate in the organizing of seminars in order to make the seminar contents more meaningful to reflect the needs and views of the insurance claims operations. With the platform of NICS, this marked the new era of co-operation with AMLA and MII in the conduct of claims seminars, which may effect the claims industry.

With the formation of NICS, the Society has been able to enhance upon MII's role to educate claims examiners or claims personnel in a more structural manner. In May 2000, the Society, AMLA and MII had jointly conducted a two-days Regional Loss-Adjusting and Claims Conference at the Palace of the Golden Horses, Kuala Lumpur. The speakers are mainly sourced from the States, United Kingdom and Canada. This had assisted the claims managers to keep abreast on the current practices in the developed countries. At the same time it has provided to learn about the claims management tools available in the e-commerce environment. Many claims managers attended the conference and MII was kind enough to share the balance of the seminar of RM3,931.68 with NICS.

In addition to working hand-in hand, the members of the Executive Committee had a successful closed-door dialogue with the IPK, at the Head Quarters at Jalan Hang Tuah attended by Tuan Hadi Ho, Tuan Ramli and ASP Rahim on August 2000. The Kuala Lumpur Police had brief the Committee on the motor theft claims and investigation on the vehicle theft. Further, has discussed procedures to retrieve the recovered stolen vehicles from the police and the meeting has covered various other Q&A. Therefore, if you were to have any difficulties to contact the IPK, you may refer to Tuan Abu Samad from Malaysian Assurance Alliance the investigation Manager.

Continuous effort have taken the Education Sub-Committee to further enhance the education needs and successfully organized a Marine Cargo Seminar by Mr Ron Pereira and Mr Alex Pinto from RMP Marine Services, Singapore. The seminar has covered on Claims and Recovery aspect, also the role of the Marine Surveyor in the Marine Insurance Industry on Pre-insurance inspection, risk control and casualty damage survey of marine hull and cargo. Further, another seminar were also arranged on Stress Management Seminar - "The Art of Total Wellness" by Dr Noordin Darus of NoordinDarus Consultancy. This topic has covered the definition and managing of Stress, also psychological aspects. Both these seminar were held on November 2000 at the MNRB auditorium. The NICS Soceity gave the participants who were attended for these seminars the certificate of attendance as a recognition. In view of favourable support and feedback the Society shall continue the Education and training for the claim industry.

The formation of this Society is only the beginning for better things to come. For the Society to become a truly effective tool for our members or to survive in the competitive environment, it will require our full support, involvement and concerted effort to ensure that our objectives are always maintained and enhanced.