Kuala Lumpur: Last year’s 5.1 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth and the positive performance of Bursa Malaysia have significantly benefited the rakyat, stated Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He highlighted that investor confidence played a crucial role in pushing the FBM KLCI to increase by 12.9 percent, reaching 1,642 points in 2024, marking the highest level since 2020.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted during the Prime Minister’s Question Time session in Dewan Rakyat that last year’s GDP growth was among the highest in the region. He emphasized that the performance of Bursa Malaysia has resulted in the highest dividend of Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) in five years and a 6.3 percent dividend for the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the highest since 2017. Anwar was responding to a question from Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) regarding the value and growth rate of real and nominal GDP for 2022, 2023, and 2024.

ASB has recently announced a total income distribution of 5.75 sen per unit, which is the highest in five years. Additionally, the EPF has declared a higher 2024 dividend rate of 6.30 percent for both conventional and shariah savings, the highest since 2017.

Anwar, who also serves as the Finance Minister, mentioned that 2024’s macroeconomic achievements offer some relief. He highlighted three key factors: robust growth, low inflation at 1.8 percent, and a 12 percent increase in gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), indicating a 12 percent rise in investment growth. These achievements have resulted in tangible benefits for the people, such as creating 120,000 job opportunities and enabling the government to enhance the salary retirement system and the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR).