Meet Yapp Giem Eing (GE), a 36-year-old Bruneian who traded his crime scene investigator hat for that of a friendly neighbourhood financial planner
In today’s day and age, job security often equates to financial stability, and not many in the Sultanate would willingly depart from the public sector, an arena which is synonymous with both.
This is particularly true for Bruneians, where a public sector position comes bundled with numerous perks; mainly as a reassuring anchor amid escalating living costs.
However, for 36-year-old Bruneian, Yapp Giem Eing, the decision to break away from the public sector, though baffling to most, was grounded in financial considerations, but his focus extended beyond personal gain.
Instead of prioritising only his financial well-being, Yapp embarked on a mission close to his heart – cultivating financial literacy among his fellow Bruneians.
In a remarkable transformation, he shifted gears from being a crime scene investigator to becoming your friendly neighbourhood financial planner.
And his mission is clear – to guide Bruneians in recognising the significance of financial planning and its transformative impact on lives—just as it did for him.
The Savey Fox and the force
Up until five years ago, Yapp Giem Eing, also known as GE was working as a crime scene investigator for the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF).
With a solid educational foundation encompassing a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Science in Forensic Medical Sciences, GE believed that his career path was destined for the realm of forensic investigations.
After spending four and a half years in the force, GE tendered his resignation due to dissatisfaction, stemming not only from the rigid and strict structure but also from limited personal growth prospects within the sector.
However, his time in law enforcement didn’t solely revolve around crime scenes and investigations. At the same time, he initiated The Savey Fox, a blog intended as a free resource for Bruneians to grasp personal finance.
“While researching (on personal finance) at the time, I only found content from the United States and I thought that it was unfortunate that as Bruneians, we didn’t have access to information like this,” he said.
Reflecting on his childhood, he remembered hearing stories of people facing financial struggles, unable to afford even basic necessities.
“Over time, though, Bruneians became more educated, landed better jobs, and you heard fewer of these stories.
“However, they still exist. Now, the issue seems to be that people with money don’t know what to do with it, and they end up living paycheck to paycheck, which is disheartening to hear.”
Savey Fox evolved into a passion project for GE, serving as an outlet to share concepts and ideas related to personal finance, contextualised for the Bruneian market.
Without realising it, GE had stumbled into a bigger purpose. He carried on steering Savey Fox until he made the career change.
This experience, he shared, proved invaluable as it fostered a meaningful dialogue between GE and the broader Bruneian community. It also served as an eye-opener, revealing the everyday financial struggles faced by the average Bruneian.
“I prefer being on the ground, getting the real story and pinpointing the pain points people are going through,” he explained.
This hands-on approach, he added, enabled him to tailor his personal finance content for those who truly need it – pretty much what he’s doing now as your friendly neighbourhood financial planner.
After stepping away from the public sector, fate intervened when GE crossed paths with an old colleague from the local AIA branch where he had worked before joining the police.
That meeting kickstarted his new career as a financial adviser, marking the beginning of a new chapter and a genuine second lease at life.
Why financial planning is important?
Fast forward to 2023, armed with a robust five years of experience as a Certified Financial Planner and life insurance consultant, GE is transforming lives through the power of financial planning.
Typically, when individuals reach out to GE for a chat, they often have specific life goals in mind.
Whether it’s saving up for Haj, purchasing their dream home, or something as straightforward as putting their kids through university, the common thread is the desire to achieve certain milestones and amass a particular level of wealth, he explained.
“Financial planning is essentially a process designed to help you achieve your goals—it’s as simple as that.
“In my role, planning involves engaging in conversations with clients regarding their aspirations and financial goals.
“It is during these discussions that we assess your budget, consider any existing loans, examine your current lifestyle, and determine the lifestyle you aim to achieve,” he explained.
Once the prospective client shares their stories, outlining their goals, required funds, and timelines, GE gathers the relevant data, analyses it, and formulates recommendations for them.
However, the decision to follow these recommendations ultimately lies with the client, similar to a doctor prescribing medication, he continued.
“The financial industry has evolved, and the approach is no longer about being pushy for sales. I operate more as a consultant, providing options for clients to consider. If they decide to proceed, great; if not, we can revisit the discussion at a later time.
Ultimately for GE, while he provides a service, the prospect of sharing even a bit of financial knowledge is a positive, given the low levels of financial literacy in Brunei Darussalam.
He remembered the public discourse surrounding the National Retirement Scheme (SPK), specifically highlighting comments from individuals expressing a desire to have access to their funds as quickly as possible.
“I feel sympathetic because I am certain that those individuals will either have to work longer or will not have much for retirement, because the retirement account is a fixed amount.
“Without financial literacy, they may not consider the option of taking that fund, investing it, and growing the money to enjoy a better retirement.”
He held the belief that, with the right personal finance recommendations, it is possible to strike a balance between enjoying life and making the right investments.
“My mantra is that I don’t want my clients to be overly stressed; there’s no point in living an excessively frugal life and heavily investing until 40 or 45, achieving the goal, and then succumbing to stress at 46.
“I prefer to create a more comfortable journey.”
For individuals keen on exploring financial planning with GE, feel free to reach out via phone or WhatsApp at +673 8615111.
Stay updated on the latest financial insights and content by following GE on social media: @ge_yapp on Instagram, @giemeing on TikTok, and Giem Eing Yapp on LinkedIn.
