KUALA LUMPUR: Four decades after it was established, Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) has emerged as one of the largest investment management company in Malaysia with total funds amounting to RM279 billion.
PNB Group Chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar said of this figure, 98 per cent had been invested locally to help create more business and employment opportunities for Malaysians.
“This includes providing equal opportunities to Bumiputera professionals involved in the corporate sector.
“70 per cent of the funds we invested in listed equity / public equity.
“Investments in the RM200 billion listed stocks comprise over 10 per cent of the market capitalisation of listed companies in Bursa Malaysia,” he said in a statement in conjunction with PNB’s 40th anniversary, today.
Wahid said the investments include in 10 strategic companies namely Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd, Sime Darby Property Bhd, SP Setia Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd, UMW Oil & Gas Bhd, Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd (CCM), CCM Duopharma Biotech Bhd and MNRB Holdings Bhd.
He adds that PNB also has investments in over 40 core companies such as Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd, MMC Corporation, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and BIMB Holdings where the company holds over 10 per cent equity or more than RM1 billion worth of investment in the company.
In terms of people, Wahid said the PNB family was also crowded with over 1,500 people in its employment.
“And half of them are young people under the age of 40. When mixed with all the Strategic companies, the number is larger than 179,000 people. Half in Malaysia and half abroad. And 50,000 of them are Malaysians,” he said.
He said in terms of gender diversity, the majority of its employees are also women.
PNB Strategic Companies comply with the 30 per cent requirement of the Board of Directors being women.
“In fact, three of our 10 Strategic Companies are chaired by women, Datuk Mohaiyani Shamsuddin, Chairman of Maybank, Datuk Normala Abdul Samad Chairman of CCM and Tan Sri Siti Sa'adiah Chairman of CCM Duopharma.
One of the three Deputy Presidents of PNB is a woman, Datin Paduka Kartini,”he said.
Looking towards the future, Wahid said he and PNB President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad had in Nov 2016 announced the PNB 2017-2022 strategic plan called "Strive 15" which targets PNB to become a World Class Distinctive Investment Firm.
He adds that the people at PNB had worked hard to implement the 15 strategic initiatives under three strategic thrusts.
This involved improving Sustainable Returns, Effective Investment Management and Driving Operation Excellence.
“Alhamdulillah, it all went smoothly and had brought many successes including revenue growth that allowed PNB to pay dividends and bonuses of 7.25 per cent and 1 per cent special bonus for the first 10,000 units in honour of the 40th anniversary of PNB.
“This involves a total of RM14.4 billion dividend for the year 2017 and over RM172 billion of accumulated dividends paid to investors since PNB was established,” he said.
Wahid said that in conjunction with PNB’s 40th anniversary, they are also appreciate the service, dedication and sacrifice of company's past leadership beginning with Tun Ismail Al.
“Tun Ismail was also the first Malaysian to be appointed as Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia and served as the first Chairman when PNB was established on 17 March 1978 until 17 October 1996. After that, Tun Ismail continued to be an advisor to PNB until he died on July 6, 1998,” he said.