By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, July 16: Amanah Saham Sarawak (ASSAR) has declared a total dividend distribution of 6 sen per unit for the financial year ended June 30, 2025, involving a total payout of RM28.76 million to 57,870 investors.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that the final dividend of 3 sen per unit is based on ASSAR’s strong performance, following an earlier interim dividend of 3 sen per unit distributed in January this year.
“This second distribution, following the interim dividend in January, involves a payment of RM14.52 million to 57,870 investors, calculated based on unit holdings as of June 30, 2025.
“This also means that RM12 million in excess income is now available as reserves to support ASSAR’s future income distribution,” he said during the ASSAR Dividend Announcement ceremony held at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here today (July 16).
He added that the total dividend return of 6 sen per unit reflects continued efforts to deliver value to investors despite market volatility.
Abang Johari expressed hope that this announcement would boost investor confidence and further encourage investment interest, especially among the Bumiputera community in Sarawak.
“In addition to this competitive dividend, I would like to stress that ASSAR is a safe, low-risk investment instrument, backed by a minimum price guarantee mechanism of RM1.00 per unit,” he said.
He pointed out that despite a challenging market environment, ASSAR’s fund performance has remained stable and resilient.
“While its Net Asset Value (NAV) also experienced fluctuations in line with the market, the volatility level remained manageable thanks to prudent and disciplined asset allocation strategies.
“ASSAR’s NAV stood at RM1.12 per unit as of June 30, 2025 — a marginal year-on-year decline of 0.44 per cent.
“This is impressive considering the FBMKLCI Index recorded a sharper drop of 3.6 per cent in the same period,” he noted.
The Premier further stated that ASSAR recorded a total gross income of RM38.39 million for the financial year.
“Of this, 43 per cent or RM16.35 million came from interest income on fixed-income securities, 36 per cent or RM13.96 million from gains on equity sales, 13 per cent or RM5.15 million from dividend income on equity holdings, and the remaining 8 per cent or RM2.93 million from interest on money market instruments and gains from fixed-income securities,” he explained.
He emphasised that fixed-income securities should remain the core of ASSAR’s portfolio, offering stable returns while cushioning against volatility in the equity market.
“After deducting total expenses of RM5.70 million, ASSAR’s net income stood at RM32.69 million,” he said.
Abang Johari added that ASSAR’s policy only allows dividend distribution from realised income, including excess income carried forward from previous financial years.
“Therefore, taking into account the RM8.06 million in excess income from the previous year and adjusted against the RM14.23 million paid out as interim dividend for FY2025, the total distributable income as of June 30, 2025 is RM26.52 million,” he stated.
In the same event, the Premier also launched a new initiative called the ASSAR Mobile Office to improve access to investment services for rural communities.
“Today, I am pleased to announce a new initiative, the launch of the ASSAR Mobile Office.
“With this mobile unit, I am confident that more people, especially in rural areas, will gain easier access to investment information and services related to ASSAR,” he said. — DayakDaily
