The Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) today announced its highest ever dividend payout of 16 per cent, amounting to RM759.3 million, one per cent better when compared to previously.

Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi the payout comprised a seven per cent dividend, one per cent bonus, and eight per cent special bonus in the form of unit trusts.

"This reflects an increase of 11.6 per cent in total payout against the RM680.4 million recorded in 2011," he told a media briefing on LTAT's results here.

LTAT also posted a higher unaudited income of RM907.4 million for its financial year ended December 31, 2012, the highest recorded, since its establishment 40 years ago.

This is an increase of 5.5 per cent when compared to the RM860 million registered in the same period of 2011.

As at December 31, 2012, LTAT's assets rose by 10 per cent to RM8.8 billion compared with RM8 billion previously. Members' contributions stood at RM7.8 billion against RM7.1 billion in 2011.

For 2013, Ahmad Zahid said LTAT aims to notch a RM1 billion profit alongside higher dividends, on the back of the stellar 2012 performance.

This would also be supported by expectations of stronger earnings from its subsidiaries, Boustead Heavy Industries Corp and Affin Holdings Bhd, as well investments in trading, property and retail.-- Bernama