(Kuching, Jan 17)Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that the Sarawak Trust Fund distributed another 3 cents per unit as of June 30 this year, with a total of RM14.23 million distributed to 57,653 shareholders.
He stated that this is the third time dividends have been distributed since the restructuring of the Sarawak Trust Fund.
“Last year, a total of two dividend distributions were announced; the first was on January 5, 2024, distributing an interim dividend of 2.5 cents per unit with a total payout of RM11.7 million, and the second was on July 5, 2024, distributing a final dividend of 3.5 cents per unit with a total payout of RM16.4 million.”
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stated at a press conference today that during the fiscal year up to the first half of last year, the Sarawak Trust Fund distributed a total of 6 cents per unit in dividends, amounting to RM28.1 million.
He stated that even after the two dividend distributions, the net asset value per unit of the Sarawak Trust Fund continues to show stable growth.
He disclosed that for the first six months of the fiscal year ending June 30 this year, the Sarawak Trust Fund has achieved a total revenue of RM22.62 million, a 45% increase compared to RM15.59 million for the same period last year.
“Among them, 48% (RM10.95 million) came from profits from the sale of equity or shares; 37% (RM8.29 million) came from interest income from fixed-income securities; the remaining 15% (RM3.38 million) includes dividend income to equity holders, interest income from money markets, and capital gains from the sale of fixed-income securities.”
He said that after deducting total expenses of RM2.93 million, the current net income of the Sarawak Trust Fund is RM19.69 million; after dividend distribution, the remaining RM13.52 million will be reserved for the next fiscal year.
He stated that the increase in income is the result of fund managers adopting a proactive strategy that achieves capital gains by taking advantage of every market rise before uncertain conditions arise.