ASB ANNOUNCED INCOME DISTRIBUTION OF 7.30 SEN PER UNIT AND BONUS OF 1.25 SEN PER UNIT
December 14, 2009

Kuala Lumpur: - Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) has announced an income distribution of 7.30 sen per unit and a bonus of 1.25 sen per unit for Skim Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) for the financial year ended December 31, 2009.

The income distribution portion will involve a total payout of RM4.95 billion by ASNB an increase of 19.56 percent compared to the RM4.14 billion paid out last year.

The bonus portion will involve a total payout of RM537.65 million by PNB.

PNB Chairman, Tun Ahmad Sarji bin Abdul Hamid said, the payment will benefit 6.78 million unit holders which currently hold more than 70 billion units of ASB.

Up to December 10, 2009, ASB has recorded a gross income of RM5.46 billion, an increase of 3.4 percent compared to RM5.28 billion recorded in the previous corresponding period. Dividend income from investee companies contributed RM1.48 billion or 27 percent of the gross income, and profit from the sale of shares contributed RM3.67 billion or 67 percent. The rest of the income at 6 percent or RM309 million is derived from investments in short term instruments and other investments.

The calculation of income distribution is based on the average monthly minimum balance held throughout the financial year of ASB ending December 31, 2009. The calculation of the bonus on the other hand is based on the average monthly minimum balance held by the unit holders in the past ten years, starting from 2000 up to 2009.

The income distribution and bonus will be automatically credited into the respective unit holders’ accounts. Unit holders will be able to update their accounts beginning January 4, 2010.

All transactions for ASB at ASNB head office, ASNB branch offices and agents will be suspended on December 21, 2009 until January 3, 2010, to facilitate the calculation of income distribution and bonus.

ASB is a fixed price equity income fund, opened for Bumiputera aged 12 years and above. This fund is aimed at generating long term, consistent and competitive returns to the unit holders whilst ensuring the preservation of capital at minimal risk tolerance level.