KEPALA BATAS: The Minggu Saham Amanah Malaysia (MSAM) 2023, held at Setia Fontaines Bertam here, drew the curtain by recording the presence of more than 200,000 visitors over nine days.
The biggest financial literacy carnival, which started on Sept 30, involved the participation of 50 exhibitors from various agencies, including the Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) Group, banks, regulatory bodies and state government agencies.
PNB Group chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda said they were grateful that the carnival managed to attract the interest of visitors, thus increasing the public's confidence in PNB as a trust fund manager that is highly valued.
He expressed hope that all visitors who attended the carnival walked away with an understaning of three important things regarding financial planning in the current economic situation.
"MSAM is a carnival to increase the level of financial literacy of the community, whose approach is to instill awareness, the importance of financial planning from the beginning for personal and family needs for the future.
"Thank you to all the parties who made this carnival a success with an overwhelming attendance that recorded more than 200,000 visitors of all ages as well asencouraging engagement across all digital platforms throughout the nine-day event.
"This is a positive development and helps PNB's efforts to produce more investment-savvy young generations," he said at the closing ceremony of MSAM 2023, here today.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, representing Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Raja Arshad said the carnival also applied elements of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at exhibition stands, activities and contents throughout the programme.
"This is part of PNB's mission to inspire young people to seek knowledge and higher education.
PNB also appreciates the support of investors towards the unit trusts they manage," he added.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said the Penang government welcomed the MSAM theme 'Bijak Melabur, Santai Berhibur' and the application of STEM elements into the exhibition booth and activities held throughout the carnival.
He expressed confidence that with the various interesting activities held throughout MSAM, visitors would not only be entertained and have a chance to win lucrative prizes but would also benefit from the aspects of investment and financial planning.
"The implementation of this MSAM is in line with the vision of Penang 2030 which is towards developing a knowledgeable, innovative society capable of competing globally through education and a more inclusive economy.
"In fact, MSAM is also the closest example in the examination of Malaysia Madani when it becomes a platform to increase the level of financial literacy among Malaysians and combines STEM elements"
Meanwhile, a senior citizen from Pendang, Kedah was announced as the lucky visitor who won a single-storey terraced house worth RM500,000 at Setia Fontaines Bertam here at the closing ceremony here today.
More surprisingly, Md Zin Husin, 71, was only present once during the nine-day event, accompanied by his son and son-in-law.
The father of four said that he visited the exhibition site last Saturday, before being informed that he needed to download the PNB Events application to answer the main e-contest questions to win various attractive prizes.
"With the help of my children I downloaded the application and just tried my luck answering the questions given without thinking of winning anything.
"After all, I came to this carnival for fun, while wanting to increase my financial knowledge. I did not expect to be announced as a lucky visitor who won the main prize in the form of a house.
"When I received a call yesterday asking me to attend, they had not informed of the prize I had won, which was indeed a surprise for me," he said when met.
The prize was presented by Mohamad, witnessed by Raja