SIBU: The awareness of financial planning for retirement among Malaysians is still low due to lack of knowledge and skills, Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) board member Tan Sri Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah said.

It is also impeded by the 'couldn't care less attitude' among the public, he said when opening a financial planning seminar theme 'Healthy and Wealthy Life Essential' in conjunction with the 2015 the Malaysian Unit Trust Week (MSAM) organised by Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB), a wholly owned subsidiary of PNB, here today.

Hence, he hoped the seminar could help enrich the knowledge of the local community on smart financial planning and change their attitude on the need to invest and prepare for retirement.

The speakers included PNB Research Institute senior vice-president Aziz Anuar, lawyer Rafie Omar and Gleangles Intan Medical Centre consultant cardiologist Dr Chong Wei Peng.

Meanwhile, ASNB executive director Mohamad Husin said the seminar, which was part of PNB's integrated financial education programme, Seminar Pelaburan 360 Hari Malaysia (SP1M), was well received and had 500 participants.

"SP1M is conducted on a daily basis throughout the country since 2008 to enlighten participants on basic investment and financial planning. Attendance is free,' he said, adding that so far, about 4,000 seminars had been conducted, reaching about 420,000 participants.

The MSAM ends at 2 pm tomorrow. - BERNAMA