Visually Impaired Photographers Contribute Their ‘Intuitive’ Talents To MSIG’s 2020 Calendar

Calendar Features 12 Unique Pictures With Road Safety Theme

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach - 9 December 2019 – MSIG Insurance (Malaysia) Bhd “(MSIG Malaysia)”, has
partnered with four visually impaired photographers to create its 2020
calendar. The calendar, themed on the topic of road safety, features 12 unique and
quirky pictures that are intended to help people think about safe journeys from
different perspectives.

 

The four artists, with differing levels of
visual impairment, have to rely on their other senses creating thoughtful and
intriguing images which, in this case, put a spotlight on the issue of road
safety, encouraging people to recognise that safe journeys are different for
everyone. The participants were selected from a special Plus Community
Partnership Sensory Photography pilot programme (the first in Malaysia), based
upon their individual strengths in visualisation and conceptualisation.

 

Mr. Chua Seck Guan,
Chief Executive Officer of MSIG Malaysia, said, “As one
of the largest motor insurers in Malaysia and a supporter of UN Sustainable
Development Goal 3, we are doing our bit to raise awareness of the issue of
road safety with the ultimate goal of halving the number of road accidents in
2020. The calendar is one of several initiatives we are undertaking to bring
attention to this topic. We are delighted to be working with the under-served
visually impaired community, creating an opportunity for some of them to
participate in this project, demonstrating their talent, expressing their
worldviews and gain a new audience for their art.”

 

The 12 images, captured from across
Malaysia, provide visual stories and are accompanied by thought provoking
captions which capture the photographers’ thinking in taking each image.

 

Mr. Chua Seck Guan concluded, “Printing and distributing these calendars will not by itself affect
change, but we do believe that the sentiments they convey on road safety will
serve as useful reminders to our community throughout the year, keeping the issue
in perspective. We also felt that this initiative would double as an
opportunity to reach out and raise up the visually impaired community in
support of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, which is focused on creating
opportunities for all”.

 

The four photographers who
contributed to MSIG’s 2020 calendar collection are:

 

Rashidi Bin Abdullah – Impaired with tunnel
vision and regressing visibility, Rashidi is drawn to the illusion of shapes
and perspectives in his photography. He captures new stories in a world of
intriguing patterns and people. Rashidi has written a book ‘Monolog Budak Buta’
(Monologue of a Blind Boy) which combines poetry and photography to convey his
experience as a disabled person. He lectures regularly at juvenile detention
centres as a motivational speaker.

 

Vivian Kwek Chu Lan – Impaired with
extreme low vision and severely impacted night vision, Vivian enjoys outdoor
photography. Her subjects are steeped in thought, capturing the world at large
and the humans who make their way through. Vivian is an organiser and
coordinator of activities for the Visually Impaired Persons (VIP)
community. 

 

Svivabalan A/L Selvarajan – Sviva’s visual
impairment permits only blurred forms and recognition is by extreme close-up.
As a photographer, he has a quirky sense of humour and experiments with unusual
compositions in common spaces. Sviva is a keen chess player and has an ambition
to become a chess master. As a chess player he participated in the SUKMA games.

 

Theng Tze Young – Totally blind since
a car accident, Theng sets a purposeful example that, despite all odds,
unexpected achievements are possible. Guided by touch and hearing, he
consistently uses emotion as the lens. He became involved in sensory
photography to set an example to his daughter and show that you can overcome
challenges to achieve your dreams.

 

To view a digital copy of MSIG Malaysia’s
2020 Calendar and the photographic work that accompanies it, please visit https://www.msig.com.my/about/news-media/visually-impaired-photographers-contribute-their-intuitive-talents-to-msigs-2020-calendar

About MSIG Insurance (Malaysia) Bhd

MSIG Insurance
(Malaysia) Bhd (“MSIG Malaysia”) is a subsidiary of Mitsui Sumitomo
Insurance Company, Limited and a member of MS&AD Insurance Group Holding,
Inc. (MS&AD), one of the top ten** general insurers in the world.

 

With over 100 years of
general insurance experience and a nationwide network of 20 branches in
Malaysia, MSIG Malaysia is one of the leading general insurers in Fire,
Engineering and Motor classes and No.1* in Marine Cargo, offering an extensive
range of products and services for personal and business needs.

 

MSIG
Malaysia’s expertise is well recognised through its receipt of many prestigious
awards. These have included the 2018 “Outstanding Property and Casualty Insurer
in Malaysia” award* in the InsuranceAsia News Awards for Excellence. MSIG
Malaysia was commended for leading the market with strong financial growth,
investment in product innovation, enhanced digital capabilities in business and
claims management systems and strong customer service proposition. Its commitment
to customer service excellence through its efforts in enhancing the customer
experience and industry leadership in Enterprise Risk Management also earned
MSIG Malaysia the “General Insurance Company of the Year” at the Asia Insurance
Industry Awards in 2015.

 

For
more information on MSIG Malaysia, visit www.msig.com.my or
facebook.com/MSIGmy.

 

*As of
Dec 2018

**Fortune
Global 500, 2018.