Maghull businessman Chris Heiberg was recently invited by the Malaysian government to conduct some training for their employees. Chris who is the director of local firm Peace of Mind Wills Ltd and a member of the Institute of Professional Willwriters won a contract to assist the government to help raise awareness amongst the non Muslim population of Malaysia regarding the importance of writing a Will and to help the commercial arm of the government, Amanahraya Legacy Services Sdn Bhd raise their own professional standards and competence.
Chris says “The Institute, of which I am a member, were approached by the Malay government last year who were asking for assistance. There is a big problem in Malaysia with people dying intestate (without a Will). In the UK the number of people who die without a Will is about 70% of the adult population. In Malaysia it is far higher and the Malaysian government are desperately trying to educate the public to ensure people are aware of the importance of having a Will”. However, there is little or no expertise in Malaysia for companies to address the issue by providing will writing services.
“This is where the Institute could help” says Chris. “We are a self regulating body who govern the activities of about 500 professional willwriters around the UK. At present anyone could set up as a willlwriter without experience, knowledge, qualifications or any insurance and provide advice on the singularly most important document you will make in your life. It may be many years and too late for the Will to be found faulty. This can often cause great distress for families at what is already an extremely sensitive time. The Institute are striving to have the industry compulsorily regulated but the UK government don’t as yet believe there is a problem.
The Malaysian government are looking to introduce the same standards of knowledge, service and competence. Malaysian law in relation to succession and Wills is based on UK law and such it was relatively easy to train the delegates even though English isn’t their first language. The contract is initially for four training sessions between now and the end of August. However as Chris says “it appears the demand for the training courses has spiralled beyond the Malaysian governments’ expectations and they are talking to us about providing continual training into the foreseeable future. They also have links with the Indonesian government who are watching the situation with interest so I better get used to the spicy food!”
The Malaysians are genuinely hospitable people. “We were treated like royalty whilst there which was at times quite humbling. There was an eagerness to learn which was very refreshing. The delegates are already looking forward to our return at the end of March for their refresher training prior to their exams. If successful they will then become Full Members of the Institute of Professional Willwriters operating under the same professional Code of Practice as any UK members”.
“It was an experience that I will not forget and I am already looking forward to the return visit in March. At that visit the Malaysian government will be looking for a high profile launch to the training . They are looking at some public relations with the deputy prime minister in attendance. This should have happened on the first visit but parliament is currently dissolved until the elections on March 15th.
The only problem for Chris now is acclimatising once more to the Liverpool weather.
