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       PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is urging both the public and private sectors to work together and steer Malaysia forward into the digital economy.

       He emphasised that Malaysia will be better able to tackle the future if both sectors did their part towards this economic activity.

       “Going forward, I urge the public and private sectors to work together and complement each other to drive digitalisation services and delivery to the rakyat.

       “With a collaboration like this, we will step into the digital economy with confidence and be fully prepared,” he said in his keynote address at the virtual launch of Permodalan Nasional Bhd’s (PNB) Minggu Saham Digital 2021 (MSD) yesterday.

       “In my opinion, this is the best platform for Malaysians to learn tips on managing finances, saving and investing in a relaxed and comfortable environment with the family.

       “My hope is that this effort will be an attraction for online visitors, especially the youth and teenagers within a harmonious environment of our beloved Keluarga Malaysia.

       ”I call on all Malaysians to work together to achieve the noble aspirations of PNB and the country, in developing a society that is both investment and digital-literate by supporting MSD 2021,” he added.

       PNB is one of the largest fund management companies in Malaysia with assets under management exceeding RM300bil.

       Its portfolio covers strategic investments in the country’s leading corporates, global equities, private investments and real estates.

       Meanwhile, PNB group chairman Tun Arifin Zakaria described the MSD as a digital adaptation of PNB’s annual Minggu Saham Amanah Malaysia (MSAM), which the group has been organising for over 20 years.

       The MSAM is an event that focuses on educating and enhancing the community’s understanding on the importance of investing and financial planning via interactive activities, as well as educational and entertainment programmes.

       “With a collaboration like this, we will step into the digital economy with confidence and be fully prepared,” he said in his keynote address at the virtual launch of Permodalan Nasional Bhd’s (PNB) Minggu Saham Digital 2021 (MSD) yesterday.

       Since its inception in 2000, MSAM has succeeded in attracting 3.9 million visitors to date.

       “Be it physical or virtual, the objective of MSAM remains the same, which is to educate and instill awareness among Malaysians on the importance of financial planning from a young age.”

       Likewise, the switch to a fully digital platform for MSD, which was first held last year as a result of the pandemic, was a resounding success, said Arifin.

       Following the strong response PNB received for the inaugural MSD last year with over two million views, Arifin said PNB is encouraged to continue organising the seven-day MSD event this year.

       “It remains as one of the interactive platforms for Malaysians to expand their financial knowledge and to get to know PNB and our investment companies better.”

       Arifin added that the MSD will provide an opportunity for investors and the society at large to understand how their investments in PNB’s Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB) unit trusts contribute to the nation’s economy.

       For MSD, PNB is working with its 12 corporate partners under three categories.

       The Rakan Premier category include Malayan Banking Bhd, Sime Darby Plantation Bhd and UMW Holdings Bhd.

       The Rakan Utama category are Sime Darby Bhd, Sime Darby Property Bhd, S P Setia Bhd, MIDF Bhd and Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd.

       The Rakan category are MNRB Holdings Bhd, Duopharma Biotech Bhd, Velesto Energy Bhd and Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd.

       At the same time, the MSD will be broadcast live daily between 12.30pm and 10.30pm, from Nov 17 to 23, 2021, through Facebook and YouTube.

       The MSD will also host a total of 70 edutainment programmes throughout the week with more than RM500,000 prizes to be won.

       In conjunction with the MSD, PNB also launched its latest unit trust fund, ASN Equity Global, which is open to all Malaysians with an initial investment of RM10.

       Arifin said the product is the first ASNB fund that focuses entirely on global equities, offering Malaysians the opportunity to diversify their investments into international markets.

       He added that the fund provides an option for investors who are inclined towards mega trend-based global investments and thematic stocks that generate long-term returns.

       “As at Nov 15, 2021, more than 740 million units have been subscribed by more than 14,000 investors since ASN Equity Global was first offered in the market on Sept 1, 2021.”

       PNB president and group chief executive Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn noted that the ASN Equity Global fund aims to introduce a contemporary investment concept that meets the objective of investors, who want to gain returns through the global equity market.

       “This fund is also suitable for investors who have a higher risk tolerance and seek higher returns in the long run.

       “Investors can easily monitor their investment performance on the myASNB portal and application as well as Internet banking and enjoy lower sales charges,” he said.

       Ahmad Zulqarnain added that interested investors can seek investment-related advice and information on ASN Equity Global, as well as other variable price funds, from certified financial officers at the group’s 32 branch offices and over 2,700 branch agents.

       “This includes details of the overall investment portfolio and guidance on how to identify the appropriate fund type according to each investor’s risk tolerance level,” he said.