1m Sabah PNB investors

Sandakan: Nearly 12 billion of the 144.5 billion unit trusts in Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) are held by more than 1.08 million investors from Sabah.

PNB President and Group Chief Executive, Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman (pic), said the amount is not small - about one-third of Sabah's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last year.

Tan Sri Kama Piah Che Othman

Speaking in conjunction with the Saham Amanah Malaysia Week at Dewan Sri Libaran, Saturday, he said Sabah is the fifth highest state in terms of investments with PNB.

Compared to the total population of Sabah, it meant that about 35 per cent of the people in the State have invested with PNB, he said at the event, also attended by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Hamad Kama said PNB had opened up its offices in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau as early as 1981 that were upgraded to branches in 2006.

Last year, PNB opened another branch in Keningau making Sabah with the most number of PNB and ASNB branches.

PNB would also hold the Saham Amanah Week 2012 at Likas Sports Complex from April 20 to 28 with about 200,000 visitors being targeted.

Musa, in his speech, said apart from having done a good job in looking after people's funds and investments prudently and efficiently for 34 years, PNB also succeeded in educating the rakyat on the basics of investment and financial planning.

He noted that PNB had successfully managed the Amanah Saham Wawasan 2020, Amanah Saham Malaysia, Amanah Saham Didik, Amanah Saham Bumiputera and Amanah Saham 1Malaysia.

"More recently, the Amanah Rakyat 1Malaysia Scheme or SARA 1Malaysia was introduced to offer loans to enable the lower-income group to invest through the Amanah Saham 1Malaysia managed by PNB," said Musa.

The gathering served as a curtain raiser or warming-up for the National Unit Trust Week (MSAM) to be held at the Likas Sports Comeplex from April 20 to 28. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will launch the MSAM while his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will close the Week.

"I am also happy to be informed that Sabah has a lot of Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB) investors," he said, adding it showed the people's living standard had risen while the State's economy was stable.

Musa was confident that the MSAM to be held soon will further increase the awareness of the people, especially Bumiputeras, on the importance of saving a portion of their income as well as financial planning especially towards their retirement.

"I am also confident that the roadshows staged by the PNB group here and in Kota Kinabalu soon will have a positive impact on Sabah and her people," he stated, adding that the State Government and the people appreciate PNB's decision to choose Sabah as the venue for this year's MSAM.

He urged all quarters to extend their fullest co-operation to PNB to make MSAM a success and called on the people to come out in full force to support the roadshow for their own benefit.

Present at the Sandakan roadshow were the Chief Minister's wife, Datin Seri Hajjah Faridah Hj Tusin; and PNB Group President cum Chief Executive, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman.

Also present were local MPs and Assemblymen as well as Sandakan Municipal Council president Datuk Ir. James Wong.

In conjunction with the roadshow, various activities including people's games (telematch), quiz and investment seminar were held.

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