KUDOS, PEARL CLUB:  FOR SHOW OF STRONG FRATERNAL BONDING AND LOYALTY TO AIA. 

AIA Pearl Club has once again radiated eminently as an exemplary model depicting a large “extended family” of the company they have associated with by instilling in them the sense of belonging to their employer they have had served for at least 30 years. At the same time, the club has successfully garnered close fraternal bonding among the members.

This aura of strong affiliation was epitomised by the ambience manifested during the recent fellowship gathering in Johor Baru, at the Southern tip of Malaysia, and the "next door" neighbouring island nation of Singapore from May 31 to April 2. 

About 130 people comprising mainly retirees and those still attached to American International Assurance (AIA), and a few spouses, first participated in the annual general meeting (AGM) held at a hotel in Johor Baru, the capital city of Johor State. 

A heartfelt appreciative atmosphere was set by the speech of outgoing president Jeffrey Kee (he was thereafter re-elected for another term together with most of his executive committee members at the AGM). He rendered accolades to Lam Phing Wong, who is an active senior agency leader with 51 years of service to-date and also the club’s Past President and Honorary Adviser. He recognised Lam as the person who pivoted the club to the present stage of development.

Jeffrey expressed appreciation to the management of AIA for granting a sponsorship subsidy toward the three-day event which incorporated a main dinner, other meals and excursions around Johor State and Singapore as the sequel to the AGM. He also thanked the Life Underwriters & Sales Executive Board (LUSEB) – an association formed by many agency leaders of AIA – for its token monetary contribution. Meanwhile, each participant had paid a fee to cover the balance of the overall cost of the entire event. Such gestures reflected the existing goodwill between Pearl Club, AIA and LUSEB.

When it came to Lam’s turn to deliver his short address, the septuagenarian praised his successor.  The number of participants attending this year’s gathering was tremendously more than the past similar events, he said. Lam also made special mention of Hashim Ismail, who instrumented the formation of Pearl Club in 1972. However, the former Principal Officer could not qualify to be a member when he retired as he fell short of just one day to the requirement of 30 years' consecutive service. In response to Lam’s revelation, Jeffrey later secured the consensus of members to propose the induction of Hashim as an honorary member, subject to AIA Management’s consideration and decision.

Choo Sin Fook, the Assistant General Manager for Agency Distribution, represented the company in gracing the AGM and the main dinner that ensued thereafter the meeting. He was pleased to note the close fraternal spirit fostered by Pearl Club. He said new initiatives were being mapped out by the company to enhance its brand name, which members should be proud of. 

The crescendo ambience was aroused by the words of wisdom shared by the two guests-of-honour from Singapore, Tan Khia Fatt and Minor Liu. Their testimonies touched the hearts of all present.

Well respected by those who worked with him during his helm as Regional Vice President of AIA Malaysia (equivalent to the current top position of Chief Executive Officer) till he retired in 1979, Tan encouraged all to reap elating memories for themselves by contributing any way they could to their fellow-mates they associated with. One could gain a long and meaningful elderly life by cherishing such feel-good deeds, he said emphatically at age 88.

( Tan energetically encouraged members to create memorable feelings for themselves by contributing to the society they associated with. "You can live up to 120 years old if you feel good about yourself," he quipped.)

Minor, looking sprightly at age 91, said she still wanted to contribute to the agency she belonged to in AIA Singapore as long as her health permitted so. In fact, she had closed one S$5 million sum assured life policy quite recently. Delivering her impromptu testimony in clear, concise and steady manner, she goaded Pearl Club to keep up its activities of togetherness. Obviously, she added, the club in Malaysia was more prominently active in organising events than its counterpart in Singapore. Her positive disposition and radiant countenance earned the reverence of her audience. 

Indeed, Pearl Club has played well the role as the extended AIA family which cares for members and the company. Some deeds carried out in the last few months were:

The total number of existing membership to-date is close to 600. By virtue of this figure, no one will deny that AIA is a company that has honed long serving loyal manpower - both in the staff and agency sides - contributing at least 30 years’ service. Pearl Club, with the support of the company, aptly paves the platform for them to cherish their happy nostalgic moments in the company.

May I, the scribe of this article and a fellow member, say KUDOS to Pearl Club. May I call upon all members to render full support to the current committee in the forward drive with endeavours portraying the image of a filial extended family of AIA!