KUCHING – Amanah Saham Sarawak Berhad (ASSAR) has announced a dividend of 6.5 sen per unit for the financial year ending 30 June 2026, marking an increase of 8.3 per cent compared to the 6.0 sen per unit distributed in the previous two years.
The announcement was made by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, during the ASSAR Dividend Announcement Ceremony held at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre in Kuching on 13 July.
The Premier highlighted that the achievement reflects the success of ASSAR’s restructuring exercise completed at the end of 2022.
Since January 2024, the Sarawak Bumiputera special investment fund has consistently distributed dividends every six months, with total post-restructuring payouts reaching RM72.09 million.
As of 30 June 2026, ASSAR’s Net Asset Value (NAV) stood at RM617.31 million, representing a growth of nearly 14 per cent compared to the previous year.
Units in circulation rose to 546.08 million from 484.05 million, while the NAV per unit remained stable at RM1.13, compared to RM1.12 previously.
The Premier also touched on broader economic developments, noting that Malaysia’s economy recorded a GDP growth of 5.4 percent in the first quarter of 2026, with inflation contained at 1.9 percent.
Despite global uncertainties that saw the FBM KLCI close at 1,664.06 points, down 0.96 per cent, sectors such as technology, construction, and plantation continued to show resilience. The national bond market also remained steady.
In this challenging environment, ASSAR achieved gross income of RM51.02 million, a 33 per cent increase from the previous year.
The equity portfolio was a major contributor, with profits from Bumiputera Initial Public Offering (IPO) shares allocated by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) accounting for 58 per cent of equity sale profits.
Of the total income, RM24.69 million (48 per cent) came from equity sale profits, RM16.64 million (33 per cent) from fixed income securities, and RM9.69 million (19 per cent) from dividend income, money market instruments, and capital gains.
After deducting expenses of RM8.12 million, ASSAR recorded net income of RM42.90 million, with distributable income amounting to RM39.65 million.
The total dividend distribution reached RM34.35 million, comprising an interim dividend of 3.0 sen per unit paid on 16 February 2026 and a final dividend of 3.5 sen per unit to be paid before the end of July. The payout will benefit 57,926 unit holders based on their holdings as of 30 June 2026.
Following the distribution, ASSAR maintained an income reserve of RM20.54 million, a significant increase of 71.3 percent compared to RM11.99 million in the previous financial year. This reserve strengthens the fund’s ability to sustain dividend payments in the future.
The Premier expressed confidence that ASSAR’s strong performance, competitive dividend rate, and minimum price guarantee mechanism of RM1.00 per unit would continue to build trust among Sarawak’s Bumiputera community.
He particularly encouraged younger investors to take advantage of the fund’s stability and growth potential.
He also urged investors to update their personal information to ensure smooth dividend transactions and called on Sarawakians to support ASSAR as a sustainable state-owned investment instrument.
The Premier emphasised that ASSAR’s achievements demonstrate the importance of strategic restructuring and prudent management in delivering consistent returns to its stakeholders.
