Premier: ASSAR reserve surges 71 pct, dividend hits 6.5 sen per unit

Abang Johari (centre) alongside distinguished guests present at the ASSAR dividend announcement ceremony at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre on July 13, 2026.

By Amanda L

KUCHING, July 13: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today announced a 6.5 sen per unit dividend for Amanah Saham Sarawak (ASSAR) for the financial year ended June 30, 2026, an 8.3 per cent increase from the 6 sen per unit declared in both 2024 and 2025.

The higher payout comes as the State-backed fund strengthens its financial position, with income reserves up 71.3 per cent, realised income 33 per cent, and net asset value 14 per cent since its 2022 restructuring.

Abang Johari said ASSAR’s cumulative income reserve rose to RM20.54 million as at June 30, 2026, from RM11.99 million a year earlier, providing a stronger financial buffer to sustain competitive dividends in the future despite market uncertainties.

“What makes us most proud is that besides being able to declare a higher dividend, ASSAR has also successfully increased its cumulative reserve significantly.

“I hope this competitive dividend, backed by a sustainable income reserve, will continue to encourage greater investment among the Bumiputera community in Sarawak, particularly the younger generation,” he said during the Amanah Saham Sarawak (ASSAR) dividend announcement ceremony at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre today.

Abang Johari delivers his speech during the ASSAR final dividend announcement for the financial year ended June 30, 2026, at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre on July 13, 2026.

The total dividend distribution amounts to RM34.35 million, comprising the 3 sen interim dividend paid in February and a 3.5 sen final dividend to be distributed before the end of July to 57,926 unitholders based on their holdings as at June 30.

According to the Premier, ASSAR’s distributable income stood at RM39.65 million after accounting for the previous year’s reserve and the interim dividend already paid, leaving RM20.54 million to be retained as reserves for future distributions.

He said the stronger reserve would enable ASSAR to continue delivering competitive returns while cushioning the fund against volatility in the investment environment.

Since its restructuring in late 2022, ASSAR’s net asset value has grown nearly 14 per cent year-on-year to RM617.31 million, while units in circulation increased from 484.05 million to 546.08 million.

Its net asset value per unit remained stable at RM1.13, compared with RM1.12 a year earlier.

The fund also recorded RM51.02 million in gross realised income for the financial year, up 33 per cent from the previous year, driven primarily by gains from its equity portfolio and returns from fixed-income investments.

Abang Johari attributed the performance to prudent investment management, noting that ASSAR had maintained its growth despite a challenging global investment landscape marked by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.

Meanwhile, the ceremony also saw the unveiling of a new corporate logo for Permodalan ASSAR Sdn Bhd (PASB), symbolising the company’s renewed identity and growth aspirations following the fund’s restructuring.

Describing 2026 as a milestone year, Abang Johari said it marked ASSAR’s third full financial year since its restructuring, reflecting the fund’s successful transformation into a stronger and more resilient investment vehicle for Sarawak’s Bumiputera community. — DayakDaily