Could you provide a brief journey of how you arrived where you are today?
I have been in the insurance/Takaful industry for the last 25 years. Four years of that time was spent in the conventional insurance and reinsurance business, followed by another 21 years in the Takaful and re-Takaful business. My last assignment before moving to Takaful Indonesia was as the CEO of a re-Takaful company in Labuan.

What does your role involve?
I am now serving as the chief executive officer of Syarikat Takaful Indonesia, the holding company for Asuransi Takaful Umum (General Takaful) and Asuransi Takaful Keluarga (Family Takaful). In this respect, I also sit on the board of both companies. My task is to ensure that group direction, policies and strategies are implemented.

What is your greatest achievement to date?
Personally, I think my golf swing has improved tremendously.

Which of your products/services deliver the best results?
For Takaful Keluarga, the Family Education Plan. For Takaful Umum, Takaful Tamwil (credit insurance), as a bancassurance product.

What are the strengths of your business?
The Takaful industry in Indonesia is still at a nascent stage. We are the first and the biggest in the industry. We have a strong brand and a strong corporate image.

What are the factors contributing to the success of your company?
Significant market reach, with about 38 branches nationwide. A full and innovative product range. Strong IT support, including online facilities at most branches. Dedicated professionals with strong business sense and Islamic credentials. Leverage on a strong shareholders’ network.

What are the obstacles faced in running your business today?
Lack of market discipline, inadequate regulatory controls and the need for a stronger governmental push for the overall growth of the industry, as is currently being done with the banking industry.

Where do you see the Islamic finance industry, maybe in the next five years?
I see the Islamic finance industry as a credible choice by the public in their financial dealings, not merely on the fringes, as now. Also, I believe the Islamic finance industry will have triple its existing market share.

Name one thing you would like to see change in the world of Islamic finance?
Islamic finance which benefits the people in the streets, farmers, SMEs, supporting micro-financing. Currently, the industry is far too much directed towards the corporate sector.

Takaful Indonesia is a Takaful pioneer in Indonesia that operates solely on the principles of Shariah. It comprises two main divisions, namely Asuransi Takaful Keluarga and Asuransi Takaful Umum. It is majority owned by Syarikat Takaful Malaysia (56%) and others such as the Islamic Development Bank (26%), Permodalan Nasional Madani and Bank Muamalat Indonesia.