Money’s tight, savings feel impossible, and you’re not alone. According to the latest Sun Life Malaysia Financial Resilience Index 2025, 41% of Malaysians admit they can’t save consistently. While everyone’s talking about inflation and rising costs, many are still living paycheck to paycheck with emergency savings becoming a luxury instead of a must-have.
Malaysians Are Saving Less, Spending More
The Index, which surveyed over 6,000 people across Asia, revealed a clear trend: we’re focusing more on surviving the month than building long-term wealth.
- 62% say daily expenses are their top financial priority
- Emergency funds rank second
- Retirement savings have dropped all the way to seventh place
So while six in ten Malaysians feel “financially secure,” the truth is, most aren’t financially resilient, meaning one big emergency could easily throw things off balance.
Enter Sun Enrich Extra-i: A Smarter Way to Save and Protect
To tackle this savings gap, CIMB Islamic and Sun Life Malaysia Takaful have teamed up to launch Sun Enrich Extra-i, a new flexible takaful plan that lets you protect, grow, and access your money more easily.
Think of it as your financial backup plan, one that covers life’s uncertainties while helping you build wealth in bite-sized steps.
Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Short-term commitment, long-term protection: Contribute for just five years and stay covered for up to 30.
- No medical check-ups needed: Easy approval for anyone starting their protection journey.
- Flexible top-ups: Add more whenever you can, so your savings can grow with you.
- Hibah-ready: Distribute your wealth smoothly according to Shariah principles.
- Liquidity you control: Need funds for your kid’s education or major life goals? The plan offers yearly payouts you can access or reinvest.
It’s a simple but powerful approach to help Malaysians break the cycle of inconsistent savings, without the burden of long-term financial commitments.
Ho Teck Seng, President and Country Head of Sun Life Malaysia, said, “We are proud to introduce a truly revolutionary takaful product that simplifies the path to financial resilience. By leveraging CIMB’s extensive network, we can deliver this innovative solution to a broad segment of the Malaysia population, from retail to affluent Clients, giving them a meaningful way to protect their wealth, build emergency savings, and achieve greater financial stability.”
Why This Matters Now
Inflation isn’t going away anytime soon, and while we can’t control prices, we can control how we plan. Sun Enrich Extra-i isn’t just another financial product, it’s designed for people who want flexibility, security, and peace of mind without being locked in forever.
Whether you’re saving for your child’s future, planning your retirement, or just trying to make your money work smarter, this plan offers a more realistic approach for today’s financial climate.
As CIMB Islamic CEO Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff puts it, “Many Malaysians face competing financial pressures. Sun Enrich Extra-i is about balancing meaningful protection with flexible savings without long commitments.”
Building a Resilient Malaysia, One Saver at a Time
This collaboration marks a 20-year milestone between Sun Life Malaysia and CIMB Islamic, both aiming to help Malaysians build stronger financial foundations through inclusive and innovative solutions.
Because at the end of the day, financial resilience isn’t just about how much you earn, it’s about how smart you save.