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Monday, 29 December 2014

Celik kewangan elak beban hutang

Petikan artikel dari Harian Metro, 17 Februari 2013

Kurang mahir urus kewangan peribadi punca utama tanggung hutang keliling pinggang

Peritnya tiada wang mahupun hidup seadanya ibarat kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang. Namun, lebih perit lagi jika diikutkan rasa hati, kad kredit yang dimiliki dilerek bagi membeli barangan keperluan serta yang menjadi idaman.

Akhirnya, hutang keliling pinggang, lebih banyak telefon diterima daripada pemiutang berbanding kenalan, bil tertunggak dan fikiran berserabut asyik memikirkan cara melunaskan hutang.

Senario itu terbukti apabila seramai 207,997 pelanggan mendapatkan perkhidmatan Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) sejak ia ditubuhkan pada 2006 sehingga 31 Disember lalu. Daripada jumlah itu, 85,994 individu dibantu menerusi Program Pengurusan Kredit.

Kafe Ahad menemubual Pengurus Besar Bahagian Perkhidmatan Korporat AKPK, Azman Hasim untuk mengetahui lebih lanjut situasi dihadapi ramai penduduk negara ini yang terbelenggu dengan pengurusan kewangan dan beban kredit.

Apabila menyebut AKPK, ramai terbayang mengenai individu yang berdepan masalah membayar balik hutang atau pinjaman datang membuat rujukan dan mendapatkan khidmat nasihat bagi menyelesaikan masalah dihadapi. Boleh jelaskan peranan sebenar AKPK?
Perkhidmatan disediakan tidak terbatas kepada mereka yang mengalami masalah kewangan. Ia disediakan secara percuma dan sesiapa saja boleh mendapatkan khidmat kaunseling, sama ada mahu mendapatkan khidmat menguruskan wang, menghadapi masalah kewangan atau bercadang mendapatkan khidmat mengatasi masalah kewangan lebih besar.

Kami menyediakan perkhidmatan pendidikan kewangan, kaunseling kewangan dan nasihat meliputi kaunseling peribadi dan nasihat untuk mengurus kewangan dengan bijak – daripada bajet, pengurusan kewangan dan isu berkaitan kredit serta program pengurusan kredit yang mengawal semula kehidupan individu serta beban kredit dihadapi.

Kaunselor AKPK akan bekerjasama dengan individu terbabit bagi penyediaan pelan pembayaran semula pinjaman peribadi melalui rundingan dengan individu terbabit dan penyedia perkhidmatan kewangan.

Ada juga individu baru lepasan universiti berjumpa kaunselor di sini untuk mendapatkan khidmat nasihat AKPK kerana dia ingin membeli kereta dan pada masa sama mahu berkahwin dan membeli rumah.

Apakah tanda seseorang itu mungkin memerlukan bantuan AKPK?
Masalah kewangan tidak sepatutnya dibiarkan berlarutan. Tanda seseorang itu perlu mendapatkan khidmat kami ialah apabila dia tidak mampu mengawal kewangannya, menanggung beban kredit yang semakin berat dan gagal diuruskan atau Cuma mampu membuat pembayaran minimum sebanyak lima peratus untuk bil kad kredit.

Janganl;ah berfikir panjang untuk mendapatkan bantuan AKPK jika seseorang itu terpaksa mengeluarkan wang tunai pendahuluan daripada akaun kad kredir untuk membiayai perbelanjaan atau tiada simpanan kecemasan peribadi atau keluarga, kerap dihubungi pemiutang atau menerima notis tuntutan guaman.

Apakah masalah yang menyebabkan mereka mendapatkan khidmat kaunseling dan pengurusan kredit daripada AKPK? Boleh berikan kategori masalah dihadapi?
Punca utama ialah kurang mahir menguruskan kewangan peribadi. Dalam kalangan mereka yang menghadapi masalah kewangan dan pengurusan kredit, sebanyak 25 peratus berpunca daripada kegagalan merancang kewangan dengan baik.

Misalnya individu berbelanja menggunakan kad kredit dan sehingga ke hujung bulan, hutang kad kredit masih tinggi. Mereka berbelanja mengikut kehendak dan dikategorikan lemah menguruskan kewangan.

Sebanyak 21 peratus kes akibat menampung kos perubatan sama ada untuk diri sendiri mahupun ahli keluarga, misalnya anak sulung menampung kos perubatan ibu atau bapa.

Sebanyak 16 peratus pula dalam kalangan individu yang cuba membabitkan diri dalam perniagaan secara kecil-kecilan tetapi gagal.

Mereka sudah membuat pinjaman dan atas sebab tertentu, bisnes tidak berjaya. Selain itu, berbelanja menggunakan kad kredit di luar kemampuan turut menjadi punca beban kewangan dan kredit.

Program Pengurusan Kredit AKPK membantu peminjam memulakan bajet yang menjadi panduan dalam menunaikan pembayaran hutang dan perbelanjaan hidup, sekali gus mengurangkan masalah pinjaman tidak berbayar dan rumah dirampas.

Boleh berikan peratusan kadar individu terbelenggu hutang kad kredit yang mendapatkan khidmat AKPK?
Penggunaan kad kredit menyebabkan beban kewangan kepada 15 peratus individu berusia 30 tahun ke bawah. Jumlah peratusan bagi golongan muda adalah rendah berbanding individu berusia 30 hingga 40 tahun (42 peratus) kerana pada usia berkenaan, mereka ada tanggungjawab lebih besar kerana kebanyakan mereka berkeluarga, mempunyai anak yang membesar dengan perbelanjaan persekolahan dan harian semakin tinggi.

Jika individu dalam kategori usia ini gagal menguruskan kewangan, mereka berdepan risiko besar menanggung beban kewangan berbanding golongan muda. Beban hutang kad kredit juga membelenggu 42 peratus individu berusia 40 tahun ke atas.

Berapakah jumlah tertinggi hutang yang pernah AKPK uruskan dan berapa tahun individu terbabit perlu membayar jumlah hutang atau pinjaman?
Syarat kelayakan untuk mendapatkan khidmat struktur hutang daripada AKPK oleh individu berkenaan dengan bank di Malaysia di bawah kawalan Bank Negara ialah tidak melebihi RM2 juta.

Individu berdepan masalah membayar balik hutang akan menyertai program pengurusan kredit dengan persetujuan bank dan bergantung kepada kes individu terbabit, cadangan akan diberi oleh AKPK yang memberi keadilan kedua-dua pihak iaitu individu terbabit dan pihak bank.

Tempoh persetujuan dengan bank bagi pembayaran balik ialah sehingga 10 tahun.

Apakah usaha AKPK bagi mendidik orang ramai supaya bijak menguruskan kewangan?
Menguruskan wang dengan bijak adalah kemahiran penting supaya seseorang itu boleh berbelanja mengikut kemampuan. Seseorang itu perlu mengawal perbelanjaan walaupun tiada masalah kewangan. Ini kerana, cara anda berbelanja hari ini akan memberi kesan kepada kehidupan anda pada masa depan.

Menabung penting kerana kita tidak tahu kemungkinan yang berlaku, misalnya akan berdepan masalah kewangan kerana kejadian di luar kawalan seperti masalah kesihatan, kehilangan pendapatan atau kecemasan keluarga.

Kebanyakan individu belajar sendiri cara menguruskan kewangan atau daripada orang lain. Mereka tidak diberikan pendidikan secara khusus cara menguruskan kewangan peribadi. Dari situ, peranan yang boleh dimainkan oleh AKPK ialah membantu golongan muda bagi menjadikan mereka individu celik kewangan.

Untuk itu, AKPK terbabit dengan banyak program ceramah pendidikan kewangan kepada golongan muda melalui kem, sesi dengan pelatih Pusat Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) dan penuntut institusi pengajian tinggi (IPT) juga peminjam Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN).

Mereka golongan yang dua atau tiga tahun lagi akan bekerja dan menguruskan kewangan sendiri. Selain itu, kita adakan ceramah di institusi kerajaan dan swasta, dengan golongan wanita dan belia.

Antara kempen atau langkah bagi menjayakan program terbabit?
AKPK menerbitkan modul pengurusan kewangan peribadi menerusi tiga penerbitan. Satu daripadanya ialah POWER iaitu Pengurusan Wang Ringgit Anda menyasar individu berusia 18 hingga 30 tahun.

Perkara asas yang seseorang harus tahu ialah cara membuat bajet, mengamalkan tabiat menabung, bagaimana mengetahui kadar nisbah hutang serta pengenalan cara menggunakan kad kredit secara bijak.

PERANCANGAN KEWANGAN ANDA: Tips yang anda perlu ambil kira sebelum bercadang untuk melabur.


NILAI KEDUDUKAN KEWANGAN ANDA

Sebelum memulakan sebarang rancangan untuk membuat pelaburan, anda perlu terlebih dahulu menilai kedudukan kewangan anda, dan menentukan berapa banyak yang anda boleh ketepikan untuk membuat pelaburan iaitu sebagai satu cara menambah simpanan tunai anda. Oleh itu, anda harus mempertimbangkan soalan-soalan berikut:

Berapakah pendapatan semasa anda?
Berapa banyak wang simpanan anda?
Berapa banyak boleh anda simpan pada setiap bulan?
Apa tujuan anda menyimpan wang?
Apakah aset cair yang anda miliki umpamanya simpanan atau saham?
Apakah aset tetap yang anda miliki umpamanya rumah atau rumah kedai?
Apakah pinjaman yang telah anda ambil dan berapa banyak faedah atau
bayaran pokok yang anda kena bayar balik?

Amat penting menilai kedudukan kewangan semasa anda dengan jujur, tahu di mana kedudukan anda sebelum membuat keputusan arah tuju masa depan. Senaraikan data kuantitatif anda, umpamanya pendapatan dan nilai pelaburan semasa serta data kualitatif seperti keutamaan dan matlamat gaya hidup.

Selepas menilai kedudukan kewangan semasa, anda bolehlah menetapkan matlamat dan menentukan sama ada anda mahu menyimpan wang untuk membeli sebuah rumah dalam masa tiga hingga lima tahun akan datang atau mengumpul kekayaan untuk persediaan ketika bersara. Atau mungkin untuk menunaikan fardu haji ataupun pendidikan tinggi anak-anak dalam masa lima hingga 10 tahun lagi.

SEDIAKAN PELAN KEWANGAN SENDIRI

Perancangan kewangan adalah satu proses di mana pelabur individu menilai matlamat dan kedudukan kewangan sendiri untuk menyediakan dan melaksanakan sesuatu pelan kewangan. Pelan kewangan membabitkan keputusan sama ada "hendak melabur atau tidak melabur" atau "hendak membuat pelaburan dalam apa atau tidak membuat pelaburan dalam apa". Ini pula bukanlah sesuatu yang statik tetapi proses berterusan. Setelah membuat penetapan, anda perlu mengawasi pelan kewangan supaya ia boleh menyerap perubahan dalam matlamat peribadi anda, persekitaran ekonomi dan maklumat baru yang diterima. Ia adalah satu proses berterusan yang mengaitkan kedudukan kewangan peribadi dengan objektif kewangan anda sambil mengambil kira persekitaran kewangan yang sentiasa berubah-ubah.

Objektif kewangan anda mungkin merangkumi, antara lain :

  1. Menghasilkan tahap pendapatan yang dikehendaki
  2. Mengekalkan atau meningkatkan kuasa pembelian aset.
  3. Mewujudkan tahap risiko yang boleh diterima
  4. Mencapai tahap kecairan dan kelenturan yang sesuai.
  5. Mencapai tahap terjamin dan berdikari yang memadai untuk masa kini dan akan datang
  6. Memaksimumkan pulangan dalam tempoh tertentu
  7. Mewujudkan jadual waktu yang sesuai untuk melabur, tempoh memegang sesuatu pelaburan itu dan melepaskan pelaburan.
WaAllahu'alam

Investment in Takaful

Under most circumstances, your insurance policy (regardless from which Agency) will include a small portion of your contribution into an investment vehicle. Prudential clients for example will have their insurance linked investment managed by Eastsprings Investments. On the other hand, all of Takaful's investment funds are managed internally by their Investment Division.

While insurance is a must for everyone, I must remind that one should not compare the performance of an insurance linked investment fund with that of a unit trust fund. Don't compare apples with oranges. A unit trust investment is to ensure capital growth while investing into an insurance linked investment fund is to ensure that there is additional reimbursement if an unwanted or an unforeseen circumstance were to befall upon you.

Honestly, Malaysians in general are quite oblivious to the type of insurance linked investment fund they invest in. While many dig deep into the coverage of the insurance policy, I believe almost none would inquire about the type of investment fund their contribution is being invested in. I remember when I first bought an investment linked insurance policy about 8 years ago. Apart from the coverage, all I was concerned about was to ask my insurance agent to select the investment fund with the highest return. The word "Risk" never came across my mind. How naive I was then!

Takaful In Australia....Why not???

A takaful market in Australia?

The Muslim population in Australia is growing and with that must come an increased demand for Shariah-compliant financial products, particularly as the comparatively larger younger groups within the Muslim population reach an age where they should start purchasing insurance. This view is confirmed by the recent announcement by a major Australian bank that it is intending to enter the Islamic finance market by offering Muslim friendly banking products and this suggests that there may also be a market in Australia for Shariah-compliant insurance - takaful. The 2006 Census reported that there were approximately 340,000 people (around 1.6% of the population) who identified Islam as their religion. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that since 1986, Australia has experienced remarkable growth with the number of Islam affiliates increasing 3 fold. In particular, the number of Islamic Australians in the 20-39 age group is approximately 123,800 as at 2006 (2.3% of that age group).
Takaful is not available in Australia. This lack of available Shariah-compliant insurance means that some Muslims may be uninsured because conventional insurance conflicts with core beliefs. Many Shariah scholars state that Muslims have a religious obligation to purchase takaful over conventional insurance.
Businesses could also benefit from the availability of takaful and, given Australia’s robust prudential and regulatory regimes, takaful sourced from Australia may be attractive to overseas companies. Furthermore, non-Muslims may also prefer takaful over conventional insurance due to the combination of mutuality and ethical investments.
In this article, we look at the characteristics of takaful and its difference from conventional insurance. We also consider the issues that may arise for a takaful provider seeking to obtain authorisation from APRA to offer takaful in Australia.

What is takaful?

Takaful is Islamic insurance which complies with Shariah law. Shariah law is Islam’s legal system based on scholarly interpretation of the Koran. Shariah law contains directions relating to fairness and overall prosperity in the community and prohibits certain activities including the payment or receipt of interest (known as riba) and investments relating to alcohol and gambling (haram). Contracts involving uncertainty (gharar), gambling or speculation (maisir) are forbidden under Shariah law.
Takaful means “guaranteeing each other” and is based on principles of mutual cooperation to provide protection from an unexpected future material risk and making a donation (tabaru’a) to enable this.

Structure of takaful

Takaful can be structured in several ways, the main structures are:
  • Wakala model - this is the most common structure. A group of takaful participants (policyholders) agree between themselves to share the risk of a potential loss to any of them. They make donations to the takaful fund. The takaful fund compensates the participants for any loss suffered in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The fund is managed by an appointed agent who is paid a fee, wakala, for the services provided to the takaful fund and its participants.
  • Mudarabah model - an operating company acts in partnership with the policyholders and receives a fixed percentage of the profits from investing the takaful funds.
Hybrid models also exist. Regardless of the structure, the common feature of takaful arrangements is that policyholders are entitled to a share of profits.

Difference between takaful and conventional insurance

Insurance involves a relationship of indemnity between the insurer and the insured, in particular, the insurer’s promise, usually but not necessarily in consideration of the payment of premium, to indemnify for the risk of financial loss suffered by the insured if a future fortuitous,iv adverse event eventuates.
Conventional insurance does not comply with the principles of Shariah law because it contains elements of uncertainty which are prohibited under Shariah law. Certain types of investments that may be made by conventional insurers are not permissible under Shariah law; for example, interest bearing instruments and investments linked to alcohol or gambling.
Takaful can overcome these issues by:
  • providing a distinction between the takaful fund (made up of contributions from policyholders) and the takaful operator (management) or the agent (depending on the model used).
  • the payment of a ‘donation’ rather than ‘premium’. Making a donation or gift into a takaful fund to help those who suffer loss is considered to be compliant with Shariah law, however paying a premium for the right to obtain future payments of claims resulting from unforeseen events is considered to be un-Islamic as the contract involves uncertainty.
  • introducing an element of profit sharing (known as the principle of mudarabah, a financing technique, whereby both parties to the contract enjoy a share of profits). This can occur where the takaful fund becomes overfunded. This surplus can be distributed to eligible takaful participants by way of discount on the next year’s takaful donation.
  • placing parameters around acceptable investments. That is, the takaful fund is invested strictly in Shariah-compliant (halal) activities including under non-interest bearing conditions to maximise the fund’s value.
All activities of the takaful provider are overseen by a Shariah Supervisory Committee - a group of recognised Shariah scholars who ensure products, investments and practices are consistent with Shariah law.

Takaful in the UK

In 2008, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) authorised the first independent Shariah compliant insurance provider, Principle Insurance Holdings Limited, the first to operate entirely under Islamic rules. The company is authorised to carry on general insurance and offers motor insurance and home insurance. HSBC also provides takaful home insurance to UK Muslims.
The FSA has publicly stated that from a regulatory perspective, it will treat a takaful provider as it would any other insurance provider, assuming there is enough similarity in function and form.

Takaful around the world

In recent years, major insurance companies have entered the takaful market, including AIG, Swiss Re, Hannover Re and Allianz. These companies mainly target Malaysia and the Middle East, however their presence in the takaful industry indicates the potential for Islamic insurance in other regions.

Principles in Insurance

Seven Principles of Insurance With Examples


The seven principles of insurance are :-
  1. Principle of Uberrimae fidei (Utmost Good Faith),
  2. Principle of Insurable Interest,
  3. Principle of Indemnity,
  4. Principle of Contribution,
  5. Principle of Subrogation,
  6. Principle of Loss Minimization, and
  7. Principle of Causa Proxima (Nearest Cause).
insurance principles

square1. Principle of Uberrimae fidei (Utmost Good Faith)


principle of uberrimae fidei
Principle of Uberrimae fidei (a Latin phrase), or in simple english words, the Principle of Utmost Good Faith, is a very basic and first primary principle of insurance. According to this principle, the insurance contract must be signed by both parties (i.e insurer and insured) in an absolute good faith or belief or trust.
The person getting insured must willingly disclose and surrender to the insurer his complete true information regarding the subject matter of insurance. The insurer's liability gets void (i.e legally revoked or cancelled) if any facts, about the subject matter of insurance are either omitted, hidden, falsified or presented in a wrong manner by the insured.
The principle of Uberrimae fidei applies to all types of insurance contracts.

square2. Principle of Insurable Interest


principle of insurable interest
The principle of insurable interest states that the person getting insured must have insurable interest in the object of insurance. A person has an insurable interest when the physical existence of the insured object gives him some gain but its non-existence will give him a loss. In simple words, the insured person must suffer some financial loss by the damage of the insured object.
For example :- The owner of a taxicab has insurable interest in the taxicab because he is getting income from it. But, if he sells it, he will not have an insurable interest left in that taxicab.
From above example, we can conclude that, ownership plays a very crucial role in evaluating insurable interest. Every person has an insurable interest in his own life. A merchant has insurable interest in his business of trading. Similarly, a creditor has insurable interest in his debtor.

square3. Principle of Indemnity


principle of indemnity
Indemnity means security, protection and compensation given against damage, loss or injury.
According to the principle of indemnity, an insurance contract is signed only for getting protection against unpredicted financial losses arising due to future uncertainties. Insurance contract is not made for making profit else its sole purpose is to give compensation in case of any damage or loss.
In an insurance contract, the amount of compensations paid is in proportion to the incurred losses. The amount of compensations is limited to the amount assured or the actual losses, whichever is less. The compensation must not be less or more than the actual damage. Compensation is not paid if the specified loss does not happen due to a particular reason during a specific time period. Thus, insurance is only for giving protection against losses and not for making profit.
However, in case of life insurance, the principle of indemnity does not apply because the value of human life cannot be measured in terms of money.

square4. Principle of Contribution


principle of contribution
Principle of Contribution is a corollary of the principle of indemnity. It applies to all contracts of indemnity, if the insured has taken out more than one policy on the same subject matter. According to this principle, the insured can claim the compensation only to the extent of actual loss either from all insurers or from any one insurer. If one insurer pays full compensation then that insurer can claim proportionate claim from the other insurers.
For example :- Mr. John insures his property worth $ 100,000 with two insurers "AIG Ltd." for $ 90,000 and "MetLife Ltd." for $ 60,000. John's actual property destroyed is worth $ 60,000, then Mr. John can claim the full loss of $ 60,000 either from AIG Ltd. or MetLife Ltd., or he can claim $ 36,000 from AIG Ltd. and $ 24,000 from Metlife Ltd.
So, if the insured claims full amount of compensation from one insurer then he cannot claim the same compensation from other insurer and make a profit. Secondly, if one insurance company pays the full compensation then it can recover the proportionate contribution from the other insurance company.

square5. Principle of Subrogation


principle of subrogation
Subrogation means substituting one creditor for another.
Principle of Subrogation is an extension and another corollary of the principle of indemnity. It also applies to all contracts of indemnity.
According to the principle of subrogation, when the insured is compensated for the losses due to damage to his insured property, then the ownership right of such property shifts to the insurer.
This principle is applicable only when the damaged property has any value after the event causing the damage. The insurer can benefit out of subrogation rights only to the extent of the amount he has paid to the insured as compensation.
For example :- Mr. John insures his house for $ 1 million. The house is totally destroyed by the negligence of his neighbour Mr.Tom. The insurance company shall settle the claim of Mr. John for $ 1 million. At the same time, it can file a law suit against Mr.Tom for $ 1.2 million, the market value of the house. If insurance company wins the case and collects $ 1.2 million from Mr. Tom, then the insurance company will retain $ 1 million (which it has already paid to Mr. John) plus other expenses such as court fees. The balance amount, if any will be given to Mr. John, the insured.

square6. Principle of Loss Minimization


principle of loss minimization
According to the Principle of Loss Minimization, insured must always try his level best to minimize the loss of his insured property, in case of uncertain events like a fire outbreak or blast, etc. The insured must take all possible measures and necessary steps to control and reduce the losses in such a scenario. The insured must not neglect and behave irresponsibly during such events just because the property is insured. Hence it is a responsibility of the insured to protect his insured property and avoid further losses.
For example :- Assume, Mr. John's house is set on fire due to an electric short-circuit. In this tragic scenario, Mr. John must try his level best to stop fire by all possible means, like first calling nearest fire department office, asking neighbours for emergency fire extinguishers, etc. He must not remain inactive and watch his house burning hoping, "Why should I worry? I've insured my house."

square7. Principle of Causa Proxima (Nearest Cause)


principle of causa proxima
Principle of Causa Proxima (a Latin phrase), or in simple english words, the Principle of Proximate (i.e Nearest) Cause, means when a loss is caused by more than one causes, the proximate or the nearest or the closest cause should be taken into consideration to decide the liability of the insurer.
The principle states that to find out whether the insurer is liable for the loss or not, the proximate (closest) and not the remote (farest) must be looked into.
For example :- A cargo ship's base was punctured due to rats and so sea water entered and cargo was damaged. Here there are two causes for the damage of the cargo ship - (i) The cargo ship getting punctured beacuse of rats, and (ii) The sea water entering ship through puncture. The risk of sea water is insured but the first cause is not. The nearest cause of damage is sea water which is insured and therefore the insurer must pay the compensation.
However, in case of life insurance, the principle of Causa Proxima does not apply. Whatever may be the reason of death (whether a natural death or an unnatural death) the insurer is liable to pay the amount of insurance.