Amanah Saham Sarawak (ASSAR) has declared a final dividend of 3.0 sen per unit for the financial year ending 30 June 2025. This brings the total declared dividend for FY2025 to 6.0 sen per unit, including an interim dividend of 3.0 sen announced in January.

The final distribution amounts to RM14.52 million and will benefit 57,870 investors. The total payout for the financial year now stands at RM28.76 million.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the dividend, stating that it reflects ASSAR’s ongoing commitment to delivering value to investors and promoting inclusive participation in the state’s financial sector.

Who Can Buy ASSAR Units, And What Does the Fund Invest In?

ASSAR is an open-ended income fund launched in August 1993. It was created to offer Sarawak Bumiputera the opportunity to participate in the Malaysian capital market through a collective investment scheme.

It underwent a restructuring in 2022 to support more stable returns and resume dividend distributions. Although no dividends were declared between 2016 and 2023, investors were still able to redeem their units at the guaranteed price of RM1.00 during the applicable guarantee period.

The fund is required to allocate a minimum of 70% of its Net Asset Value (NAV) to fixed income instruments, deposits, and money market products. It may invest up to 30% in equities and foreign markets. ASSAR also includes a capital guarantee feature, ensuring the unit repurchase price does not fall below RM1.00 during a specified guarantee period.

Eligibility is limited to Sarawak Bumiputera aged 18 and above, Bumiputera corporations based in Sarawak, and Bumiputera individuals or entities that have contributed directly or indirectly to the development of the state.

ASSAR Dividend Performance

ASSAR resumed dividend distributions in 2024 after a nine-year pause between 2016 and 2023. For the financial year ending 30 June 2025, the fund declared an interim dividend of 3.0 sen in January and a final dividend of 3.0 sen in July, resulting in a total declared dividend of 6.0 sen per unit.

For the financial year ended 30 June 2024, ASSAR declared an interim dividend of 2.5 sen on 5 January 2024. A final dividend of 3.5 sen was declared on 5 July 2024 and is recorded under the financial year ending 30 June 2025, in line with the fund’s financial reporting standards. As a result, the 2024 financial statements reflect only the interim dividend of 2.5 sen, while the 3.5 sen final dividend is accounted for in the subsequent year.

Distributions under RM500 are automatically reinvested. Payments of RM500 or more are made via bank transfer, Wang Pos, or cheque unless reinvestment is requested. Unclaimed cheques older than six months are reinvested if the unit price is RM1.00; otherwise, they are handled in accordance with the Unclaimed Moneys Act 1965.

ASSAR vs ASB Dividend Comparison (Past 5 Years)

Financial Year	ASSAR Dividend (sen)	ASB Dividend (sen)
2025	6.0	Not Yet Announced
2024	6.0	5.75
2023	0.0	5.25
2022	0.0	5.10
2021	0.0	5.00

Footnotes

1. ASSAR’s FY2024 dividend totals 6.0 sen per unit, comprising a 2.5 sen interim dividend (declared on 5 January 2024) and a 3.5 sen final dividend (declared on 5 July 2024). The final dividend was announced after the financial year ended and is booked under FY2025 for accounting purposes, but is presented here under FY2024 for clarity.
   
2. ASB’s FY2025 dividend has not been announced at the time of writing. ASB typically declares dividends in December for its financial year ending 31 December.
   
3. ASB’s FY2024 payout consists of a 5.50% distribution and a 0.25% bonus, as stated in the ASB Product Highlights Sheet dated 3 March 2025, for the financial year ended 31 December 2024. Total per-unit dividend = 5.75 sen.
   
4. ASB’s FY2023 payout includes a 4.25% distribution and a 1.00% bonus, totaling 5.25 sen, per ASB’s Product Highlights Sheet for that year.
   
5. ASB’s FY2022 payout comprises a 3.35% distribution, a 1.25% bonus, and an additional 0.50% bonus, totaling 5.10 sen per unit.
   
6. ASB’s FY2021 payout consists of a 4.25% distribution and a 0.75% bonus, totaling 5.0 sen.
   
7. ASB dividends include both regular income distributions and discretionary bonuses declared by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB). ASB total payout amounts in RM are not publicly disclosed; only per-unit rates are officially available.

Comparison with ASNB Fixed-Price Funds

The ASSAR fund and the six fixed-price funds managed by Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB) differ in several key areas, including fund structure, investment approach, eligibility, and fees.

1. Fund Manager and Ownership

ASSAR is managed by Amanah Saham Sarawak Berhad, a state-linked entity established to support Sarawak Bumiputera participation in capital markets. ASNB fixed-price funds, on the other hand, are managed by ASNB, a federal entity wholly owned by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB).

Feature	ASSAR	ASNB Fixed-Price Funds
Fund Manager	Amanah Saham Sarawak Berhad	Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB)
Ownership	State-linked	Federally owned (via PNB)

2. Capital Guarantee

ASSAR offers a capital guarantee of RM1.00 per unit, which applies during the designated guarantee period stated in the fund’s deed. This means that investors can redeem their units at not less than RM1.00, provided the redemption falls within the stated period. ASNB funds do not offer a formal capital guarantee, although they maintain a fixed unit price structure.

Feature	ASSAR	ASNB Fixed-Price Funds
Capital Guarantee	Yes, RM1.00 per unit (applies during designated guarantee period)	No explicit capital guarantee

3. Investment Structure and Asset Allocation

ASSAR is a fixed income fund, investing at least 70% of its Net Asset Value (NAV) in fixed income products such as bonds and deposits. ASNB fixed-price funds are mixed asset funds with a more flexible allocation. ASB funds, for example, may invest up to 90% in equities. While ASSAR limits foreign investments to 30%, ASNB funds are allowed to invest in approved foreign markets but do not disclose a formal cap.

Feature	ASSAR	ASNB Fixed-Price Funds
Fund Type	Open-ended Fixed Income Fund	Mixed Asset Funds
Primary Asset Allocation	Minimum 70% in fixed income and deposits	Flexible (equities, property, bonds, cash)
Equity Exposure Limit	Maximum 30%	Up to 90%
Foreign Investment Limit	Maximum 30%	Allowed in approved foreign markets; no stated cap

4. Eligibility

Eligibility for ASSAR is limited to Sarawak Bumiputera and Bumiputera entities that contribute to Sarawak’s development. In comparison, ASB funds are for Bumiputera only, while ASM funds are open to all Malaysians.

Feature	ASSAR	ASNB Fixed-Price Funds
Eligible Investors	Sarawak Bumiputera and contributors to Sarawak	Bumiputera (ASB), All Malaysians (ASM)

5. Fees and Distribution Policy

ASSAR charges a management fee of up to 1.5% per annum, with trustee fees capped at 0.06% of NAV. ASNB funds generally have lower fees, ranging from 0.35% (ASB) to 1.0% (ASM). ASSAR does not charge sales or repurchase fees, but a RM5 transfer fee may apply. ASNB funds typically have no transaction fees, although some EPF-MIS investors may face charges of up to 3%.

Dividends below RM500 in ASSAR are automatically reinvested, while larger amounts can be paid out or reinvested on request. ASNB funds usually reinvest distributions, with bonus payments declared at PNB’s discretion.

Feature	ASSAR	ASNB Fixed-Price Funds
Management Fee	Up to 1.5% per annum	0.35% (ASB) to 1.0% (ASM) per annum
Trustee Fee	Up to 0.06% per annum of NAV	Varies; generally lower
Transaction Fees	No sales or repurchase fees; up to RM5 transfer fee	Typically no fees; up to 3% for EPF-MIS holders
Distribution Policy	Reinvested below RM500; options available for larger sums	Typically reinvested; bonuses at PNB’s discretion

Understanding the Differences

ASSAR and ASNB fixed-price funds serve different groups of investors and follow distinct investment strategies. ASSAR is limited to Sarawak Bumiputera and related entities, with a focus on fixed income instruments and a capital guarantee feature during the designated period. ASNB funds such as ASB, ASB 2, and ASB 3 Didik are open to Bumiputera nationwide and offer mixed asset exposure with historically consistent dividend performance.

Each fund has its own features, eligibility requirements, and cost structures. Investors may wish to review official sources, fund prospectuses, or consult with licensed financial professionals when evaluating available options.

More information about ASSAR is available from Amanah Saham Sarawak Berhad. Details on ASNB funds can be found via ASNB or Permodalan Nasional Berhad’s official platforms.

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• TAGS:
• #Dividend
• Amanah Saham Sarawak
• ASB
• ASNB
• ASSAR
• Investment Returns
• Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg