TEMERLOH: Only 45 per cent out of close to 30 million Malaysian population have at least one account in unit trusts managed by Permodalan Nasional Malaysia Bhd (PNB).

Group Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar said up to March 31, 2017, PNB managed 216.9 billion units in circulation owned by more than 13 million unitholders in the country.

"PNB targets to see all Malaysians have at least one account with the fund management company one day, on the back of its integrated investment education programmes such Malaysia Unit Trust Week (MSAM) and 360-Day Investment Seminar," he said.

He said this to the media after a Programme with PNB Group in conjunction with MSAM 2017 here, today.

The ceremony was officiated by State Tourism and Culture Committee Chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin on behalf of Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.

Abdul Wahid said out of the 216.9 billion units, 8.2 billion units were held by 721,290 unitholders from Pahang, representing 45 per cent of the state's population of 1.6 million.

On MSAM 2017 which will be held at Dataran Temerloh from April 20-25, Abdul Wahid said PNB had targeted to attract 150,000 visitors over the six-day event, themed "360-Day Investment."

"The launching ceremony is expected to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, while the closing ceremony will be officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"Various programmes have been planned and PNB hopes the local residents can benefit from the opportunities available to deepen their knowledge in investment and financial planning.

"In addition, the public will know where their funds have been invested. The mobilisation of funds have enabled PNB to invest in shares of big companies such as UMW Holdings, SP Setia, Sime Darby and Malayan Banking," he said.

In conjunction with MSAM 2017, PNB is also offering discount for inheritance management services related to unit trusts, namely Hibah (Grant) Amanah for Muslim investors and Pengisytiharan Amanah (Declaration of Trust) for non-Muslim investors.

Visitors also have the chance to win expensive prizes such as Ford Rangers 2.2L XLT (AT), Toyota Vios 1.5 GX (AT), Perodua Bezza 1.3 Advance (AT), Yamaha R25 and others.

Meanwhile, Mohd Sharkar hoped the people in Pahang and Temerloh in particular would capitalise on this opportunity to check out the investment opportunities provided by PNB as they were safer and were guaranteed by the government compared to other investment schemes. --Bernama