The Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM) has appointed Pauline Teoh, chief executive officer of Zurich Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad, as its new president, the association said during its 52nd Annual General Meeting held on 31 March. LIAM also re-elected Vibha Coburn, chief executive officer of Manulife Insurance Berhad, as vice president.
Teoh has been with Zurich Life since 2024 and brings over 25 years of experience across the Asia-Pacific region, with experience in business growth, digital transformation, partnerships, sales and distribution, financial risk management, mergers and acquisitions, and initial public offerings. Prior to Zurich, she held senior executive roles at AIA. She also holds a Bachelor of Mathematics in Actuarial Science and Economics from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries.
Meanwhile, Coburn joined Manulife in 2020 as group CEO and executive director of Manulife Holdings Berhad, as well as CEO and executive director of Manulife Insurance Berhad. She has over 30 years of experience in banking, insurance, and management consulting across Asia, Europe, and Australia, with expertise in strategy, business management, digital transformation, sales, marketing, and wealth management. She was previously chief regional distribution officer for Manulife Asia.
In its announcement, LIAM CEO Mark O’Dell said the association’s priorities in 2026 will include continued collaboration with key stakeholders and enhancing public education, particularly on the importance of life insurance protection for all Malaysians.
“This will be achieved by strengthening public awareness and improving financial literacy through targeted education and outreach initiatives,” O’Dell said. “We actively engage the public through multiple platforms to enhance understanding of life insurance and support the financial well-being of Malaysians.”
He also assured stakeholders that Malaysia’s life insurance industry remains firmly committed to financial inclusion, supports national efforts to increase insurance penetration and reduce protection gaps, and will continue working closely with regulators and stakeholders to build a progressive, inclusive, and resilient life insurance industry.
During the meeting, LIAM also welcomed a new management committee member: Wan Saifulrizal Wan Ismail, CEO of AmMetLife Insurance Berhad, for the term 2026/2027.
The association is further supported by six other committee members: Heng Zee Wang, CEO of AIA Bhd.; Leong Su Yern, CEO of Etiqa Life Insurance Berhad; YBhg Dato Koh Yaw Hui, CEO of Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad; Loh Guat Lan, CEO of Hong Leong Assurance Berhad, Patrick Cheah Gim Guan, CEO of Malaysian Life Reinsurance Group Berhad; and Kelvin Ang, CEO of Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad.
