Bank Rakyat interim profit before tax and zakat tops RM1b

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/31brakyat/Article/

Published: July 31, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Rakyat's profit before tax and zakat rose to RM1.06 billion for the first half year financial period ended June 30 2012, up 7.7 per cent from RM980 million reported in the same period of last year.

"The better performance for the period as a whole was achieved following the strong growth in financing income in line with the high growth in financing balance as well as the strengthening of asset quality," the bank said in a statement here yesterday.

Its gross income for the period increased by 15.3 per cent to RM3.09 billion from RM2.68 billion in the previous period, while net income after profit distribution to depositors grew by 10.4 per cent to RM1.73 billion compared with RM1.56 billion previously.

The bank's income from financing increased by 11.6 per cent to RM2.45 billion compared with RM2.19 billion in the previous corresponding period of which, or 91.6 per cent came from consumer banking and RM0.21 billion or 8.4 per cent from commercial banking.

Bank Rakyat recorded a fee based income of RM44.9 million in the first half year of 2012.

Income from takaful commissions, wills issuance and ATM service fee contributed about 80.2 per cent of the total fee based income.

Bank Rakyat's total assets grew by 11.9 per cent to RM77.51 billion from RM69.27 billion in the previous corresponding period.

The bank's total deposits increased by 9.7 per cent to RM66.13 billion at the end of June 2012.

Bank Rakyat has 136 branch networks, 42 Ar-Rahnu X'change outlets and more than 600 automated teller machines and credit deposit machines all over the country. Bernama

Untung 6 bulan Bank Rakyat RM1.06 bilion

KUALA LUMPUR - Bank Rakyat terus cemerlang dengan mencatatkan keuntungan sebelum cukai dan zakat yang membanggakan bagi setengah tahun pertama 2012 sebanyak RM1.06 bilion, peningkatan 7.7 peratus atau RM75.8 juta berbanding RM0.98 bilion pada tempoh yang sama tahun lalu.

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/untung-6-bulan-bank-rakyat-rm1-06-bilion-1.71585
Published: July 31, 2012

Bank Rakyat 

"Prestasi baik bagi setengah tahun pertama 2012 secara keseluruhannya dicapai berikutan pertumbuhan kukuh pendapatan pembiayaan selari dengan pertumbuhan tinggi jumlah baki pembiayaan dan pengukuhan dalam kualiti aset," demikian menurut bank itu dalam satu kenyataan di sini hari ini.

Pendapatan kasarnya meningkat sebanyak 15.3 peratus kepada RM3.09 bilion berbanding RM2.68 bilion pada tempoh yang sama tahun lalu, manakala pendapatan bersih selepas agihan keuntungan kepada pendeposit menambah 10.4 peratus kepada RM1.73 bilion berbanding RM1.56 bilion sebelumnya.

Pendapatan daripada sumber pembiayaan naik 11.6 peratus kepada RM2.45 bilion berbanding RM2.19 bilion pada tempoh yang sama tahun lalu, atau 91.6 peratus disumbangkan oleh perbankan konsumer.

Perbankan komersil menyumbang sebanyak RM0.21 bilion atau 8.4 peratus daripada keseluruhan pendapatan pembiayaan.

Bank Rakyat juga mencatatkan pendapatan berasaskan fi sebanyak RM44.9 juta pada setengah tahun pertama 2012.

Pendapatan komisen Takaful, wasiat dan yuran perkhidmatan ATM menyumbangkan 80.2 peratus daripada keseluruhan pendapatan berasaskan fi.

Menurut kenyataan itu, jumlah aset Bank Rakyat menambah sebanyak 11.9 peratus kepada RM77.51 bilion berbanding RM69.27 bilion pada tempoh yang sama tahun lepas.  

Bank masih mengekalkan pembiayaan konsumer sebagai fokus utama perniagaan yang menyumbang 88.5 peratus daripada keseluruhan pembiayaan Bank Rakyat pada setengah tahun pertama 2012, dengan baki kasar pembiayaan konsumer meningkat 8.8 peratus kepada RM47.04 bilion pada setengah tahun pertama  2012 berbanding RM43.25 bilion pada tempoh yang sama tahun sebelumnya.

Dari segi portfolio pembiayaan, pembiayaan peribadi kekal sebagai penyumbang terbesar iaitu sebanyak 86.0 peratus daripada keseluruhan pembiayaan konsumer.

Jumlah deposit Bank Rakyat menambah 9.7 peratus kepada RM66.13 bilion pada akhir Jun 2012, berbanding RM60.31 bilion pada tempoh yang sama tahun lalu.

Dana pemegang saham naik 34.4 peratus kepada RM9.29 bilion pada akhir Jun 2012 berbanding RM6.91 bilion pada bulan yang sama tahun lalu hasil sumbangan penambahan untung bersih dan penambahan modal syer berbayar.

Bank Rakyat mempunyai melalui 136 rangkaian cawangan, 42 Ar-Rahnu X’change dan lebih 600 ATM serta CDM di seluruh negara. - Bernama

Bank Rakyat's Half Year Profit Soars To RM1.06 Billion

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsbusiness.php?id=684223

Published: July 31, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) -- Bank Rakyat's profit after tax and zakat rose to RM1.06 billion for the first half year financial period ended June 30, 2012, up 7.7 per cent from RM0.98 billion reported in the same period of last year.

"The better performance for the period as a whole was achieved following the strong growth in financing income in line with the high growth in financing balance as well as the strengthening of asset quality," the bank said in a statement here Monday.

Its gross income for the period increased by 15.3 per cent to RM3.09 billion from RM2.68 billion in the previous period, while net income after profit distribution to depositors grew by 10.4 per cent to RM1.73 billion compared to RM1.56 billion previously.

The bank's income from financing increased by 11.6 per cent to RM2.45 billion compared with RM2.19 billion in the previous corresponding period of which, or 91.6 per cent came from consumer banking and RM0.21 billion or 8.4 per cent from commercial banking.

Bank Rakyat also recorded a fee based income of RM44.9 million in the first half year of 2012.

-- BERNAMA

SME Bank reaping benefits of transformation

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/22SPOT/Article/index_html

Published: July 30, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: SME Bank Bhd, which is in the midst of a five-year transformation plan, has seen improvements not only in its balance sheets, but also in the way business is done and in service delivery.

Financially, the bank, which was set up about seven years ago to cater to the needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), returned to the black last year after two years of losses since 2009.

The bank now, according to managing director Datuk Mohd Radzif Yunus, is undergoing significant changes in terms of its business model, target customers, service delivery and people capability.

If previously most of its funds came from the government, now the bank has a mixed portfolio, where some of the funds are raised in the market. The recently launched RM3 billion government-guaranteed sukuk programme is part of SME Bank's alternative funding mechanism.

Radzif said funding is the main driver to strengthen the bank's business model, which he describes as "anti-cyclical".

"This (anti-cyclical) is the model adopted by most DFIs (development financial institutions) in the world, which is to provide a safety net for the economy when the economy is down and other financial institutions unable to meet companies' financing needs," he said in an interview.

Alternative fund raising is necessary as SME Bank needs to release more financing for the SMEs.

Radzif said the SME sector, which currently contributes 34 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP), utilises between RM120 billion and RM140 billion financing.

To reach the targeted 40 per cent SME contribution to the GDP by 2020, he said the SME sector needs between RM360 billion and RM400 billion in financing.

Meanwhile, SME Bank only contributes four per cent to the SME financing market.

"We are targeting a 10 per cent share to enable us to play a safety net role. To reach the 10 per cent target, the bank needs more funding so that we can channel more financing to the SMEs."

To improve service delivery, Radzif said SME Bank has various engagements with stakeholders such as the finance ministry, the international trade and industry ministry, Bank Negara Malaysia as well as its customers.

Some of the bank's customers have been selected to be in TeraS programme, a scheme under Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera which facilitates high-performing Bumiputera companies with good growth potential to expand and grow beyond local market.

"Forty-one TeraS awardees are our customers, representing about 30 per cent of total TeraS awardees," Radzif said.

On the people side, he said SME Bank has collaborative partners to expose the best practices to its employees.

Agrobank lancar dua pinjaman biayai pesawah

Agrobank melancarkan dua produk pembiayaan baru berlandaskan syariah, Paddy-i dan Paddy Cash-i, khusus untuk pengusaha sawah padi di seluruh negara.

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/Agrobanklancarduapinjamanbiayaipesawah/Article
Published: July 30, 2012

Paddy-i menawarkan pembiayaan modal pusingan bagi tanaman padi yang lebih tinggi sehingga RM2,500 sehektar menerusi jumlah pembiayaan antara RM1,000 hingga RM50,000 dengan kadar keuntungan lebih rendah iaitu 3.2 peratus semusim atau enam bulan.

Paddy Cash-i pula adalah pembiayaan peribadi untuk pesawah menerusi pembiayaan antara RM3,000 hingga RM50,000 dengan kadar keuntungan 3.1 peratus atas kadar pembiayaan asas untuk tempoh maksimum tujuh tahun atau 14 musim.

Presiden dan Ketua Eksekutifnya, Wan Mohd Fadzmi Wan Othman, berkata kedua-dua produk ini ditawarkan tanpa cagaran atau jaminan, dengan had umur yang dilanjutkan sehingga 70 tahun bagi Paddy-i dan 65 tahun bagi Paddy Cash-i.

“Kami memperuntukkan lebih RM50 juta untuk Paddy-i, manakala dana Paddy Cash-i pula adalah sebahagian daripada RM500 juta yang diperuntukkan di bawah pinjaman peribadi Agrobank tahun ini,” katanya pada majlis pelancaran di Tanjung Karang, baru-baru ini. Majlis disempurnakan Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani, Datuk Seri Noh Omar.

MIDF: Dayang to secure RM1.1b contract

KUALA LUMPUR: MIDF Research projects Dayang Enterprise
Holdings Bhd to win at least one contract from the Pan Malaysia HUC works worth around RM1.1 billion, due to the limited number of players with the capabilities to compete.

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120726173213/Article/index_html
Published: July 26, 2012

The research house said there were nine jobs in total to be awarded, with RM10 billion in total value.

"With fewer than 20 players who have the capabilities to bid and compete for the tenders, Dayang Enterprise has a 50 per cent chance to bag the award.

"Should the group secure at least one contract, earnings projections could reach around RM45 million a year for the next five years with an estimated blended net margin of 21 per cent," it said in a research note today.

Dayang Enterprise currently has an order book of around RM1.2 billion with a burn rate of up to four years, and with additional job wins of potentially RM1 billion materialising in the foreseeable future, the order book could very well
double, MIDF Research said.

"We project the group's revenue, earnings before interest and tax and net profit to grow at a compounded average growth rate of 20 per cent, 22.7 per cent and 18.8 per cent, respectively, from the 2009 to 2013 financial years," it added.

MIDF Research has placed a fair value of RM2.32 on Dayang Enterprise. -- BERNAMA

Tabung Haji beli hartanah RM775 juta

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/TabungHajibelihartanahRM775juta/Article

Published: July 26, 2012
Oleh Mahanum Abdul Aziz

Kuala Lumpur: Sebuah bangunan pejabat premium di 10 Queen Street Place, London dikenal pasti sebagai antara hartanah pertama yang akan dibeli Lembaga Tabung Haji di pusat bandar raya berkenaan.

Difahamkan bangunan itu akan dibeli daripada pemiliknya Jaguar Capital pada harga 155 juta (RM775 juta).

Sumber berkata, untuk tujuan itu,

Tabung Haji akan bekerjasama dengan bank berlandaskan syariah, Gatehouse Bank dan penyedia perkhidmatan hartanah global, Savills plc untuk memuktamadkan pembelian bangunan pejabat yang mempunyai keluasan keseluruhan 221,198 kaki persegi itu.

Bangunan berkenaan kini menjadi ibu pejabat firma guaman terkemuka, SJ Berwin.

Menurut laporan firma kaji selidik hartanah, CoStar Group, bangunan itu dipajak kepada SJ Berwin untuk jangka masa panjang iaitu ia akan tamat pada Disember 2025.

CoStar berkata Jaguar Capital, pengurus dana dari Ireland membeli bangunan itu yang sebelum ini dikenali sebagai Thames Exchange, daripada Norwich Property Trust Ltd pada harga 146.25 juta pada 2008.

Rundingan dimuktamad September ini
Baru-baru ini, Pengarah Urusan dan Ketua Eksekutif Tabung Haji, Datuk Ismee Ismail berkata, pihaknya dijangka memuktamadkan rundingan bagi pembelian hartanah pertamanya di London itu menjelang September ini.

Bagaimanapun, beliau tidak menamakan hartanah yang akan dibeli itu.

Ismee berkata pihaknya bercadang membeli bangunan komersial tetapi bukan hotel atau perumahan yang menawarkan pulangan sewaan munasabah dalam jangka panjang.

Hartanah di UK sememangnya sudah lama berada dalam perhatian kami, katanya.

TH Plantations sees healthy growth with land purchases

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/25THP/Article/

Published: July 26, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: TH Plantations Bhd is poised for a stronger balance sheet for future growth with the completion of its acquisition of two companies, which collectively own 41,424ha of land.

TH Plantations, the plantation arm of Lembaga Tabung Haji, primarily engages in the business of oil palm plantations here.

Maybank Investment Bank Research said the acquisition is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of this year.

"Investors' perception may be slightly negative, given the potential earnings per share dilution of 8.2 per cent.

"Over time, we believe TH Plantations will be re-rated, given its new plantation size of about 86,400ha, making it one of the largest planters in Malaysia," Maybank Investment Bank Research said in a research note.

Post-acquisition, its gross gearing would remain healthy and conducive for growth, at 22 per cent, it said.

"We estimate the proposed acquisitions to add RM33.5 million to TH Plantations' bottomline," the research house added. Bernama

SME Bank terbit sukuk jaminan kerajaan RM3b

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/sme-bank-terbit-sukuk-jaminan-kerajaan-rm3b-1.69837

Published: July 25, 2012
Wartawan Sinar Harian

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KUALA LUMPUR - SME Bank Bhd akan menerbitkan Program Nota Jangka Sederhana Islam jaminan kerajaan (Program IMTN) dengan tempoh matang hingga 20 tahun bagi keperluan modal kerja patuh syariah.

Pengarah Urusannya, Dato' Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus berkata, terbitan pertama program IMTN itu akan menggunakan struktur wakalah, yang diterima dengan meluas di negara-negara Majlis Kerjasama Teluk.

“Program sukuk akan membantu kami menyusun semula model perniagaan kami untuk menyokong pertumuhan dan memperkasa ekosistem perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) melalui rangkaian kami dan menyediakan dana tambahan untuk membantu lebih banyak PKS,” katanya kepada pemberita pada upacara menandatangani terbitan sukuk itu, di sini.

Menteri Kewangan II, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, menyaksikan upacara itu.

“Tranche pertama itu melibatkan RM500 juta bagi tempoh tujuh hingga 10 tahun, manakala tranche kedua mungkin akan diterbitkan menjelang akhir tahun atau awal tahun depan,” katanya.

Terdahulu, SME Bank menandatangani perjanjian untuk menubuhkan Dana Terselaras 1-SME bernilai RM263 juta dengan Kementerian Kewangan untuk mempermudah dan mengoptimum kegiatan pembiayaan dan capaian oleh kumpulan sasaran.

Di bawah program ini, 18 dana di bawah penyeliaan Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri diselaraskan menjadi lima kumpulan yang diuruskan oleh SME Bank.

Sementara itu, Husni juga melancarkan Skim Pengukuhan  PKS (SRS), juga dikenali sebagai “Program Peluang Kedua” untuk membantu PKS yang berdaya maju tetapi bermasalah mendapatkan pembiayaan tambahan bagi perniagaan yang sedang dijalankan.

Skim itu bertujuan mempermudah penyusunan semula dan penjadualan semula pembiayaan “institusi kewangan yang mengambil bahagian” dan untuk memberi kemudahan pembiayaan tambahan kepada PKS berdaya maju dengan pembiayaan tertunggak atau terjejas, tertakluk kepada jumlah pembiayaan agregat maksimum tidak lebih daripada RM5 juta, termasuk pembiayaan baharu di bawah PSP.

“Inisiatif yang kita lancarkan hari ini akan bertindak sebagai pemangkin bagi industri PKS,” kata Husni.

Fitch Ratings: Ratings with negative outlook double

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/7/24/business/20120724122908&sec=business

Published: July 24, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Fitch Ratings said the number of ratings with negative credit outlooks has roughly doubled over the past six months, mainly due to the fallout from the eurozone.

The ratings agency said on Tuesday ratings with negative credit outlooks had increased across the sovereign (19.8% versus 10.3%), international public finance (48.3% versus 22.4%), financial institution (19.3% versus 10.7%) and insurance sectors (11.1% versus 5.6%).

In its latest global cross-sector credit outlook report, Fitch attributed it mainly due to new shocks centred on the eurozone, which continued to weigh down global economic recovery while also seeping through to other sectors and, to an increasing extent, other regions.

"By contrast, greater rating Outlook stability was shown in US public finance, corporates and infrastructure," it said.

Fitch said the weak US recovery reflected the gradual rebalancing of the economy, such as the unwinding of excessive household debt and the housing market correction, rather than a permanent downshift in the growth rate of the economy.

However, it pointed out the risks included uncertainty regarding fiscal policy and the diminished capacity for significant fiscal and monetary policy stimulus.

As for many large emerging markets, it said they were facing slowing growth and macroeconomic policy or rebalancing challenges.

"This is even as emerging market economies generally are showing impressive resilience to tough global conditions and are outperforming developed countries," it said.

The universe of highest grade ratings ('AAA' and 'AA') continued to shrink, with all eight global sectors seeing reductions since the end of 2010.

The sharpest decline occurred in international public finance, where eurozone sovereign downgrades had a negative knock-on effect and the high-grade rating segment halved to 26% in the last six months.

Fitch Ratings: Ratings with negative outlook double

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/7/24/business/20120724122908&sec=business

Published: July 24, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Fitch Ratings said the number of ratings with negative credit outlooks has roughly doubled over the past six months, mainly due to the fallout from the eurozone.

The ratings agency said on Tuesday ratings with negative credit outlooks had increased across the sovereign (19.8% versus 10.3%), international public finance (48.3% versus 22.4%), financial institution (19.3% versus 10.7%) and insurance sectors (11.1% versus 5.6%).

In its latest global cross-sector credit outlook report, Fitch attributed it mainly due to new shocks centred on the eurozone, which continued to weigh down global economic recovery while also seeping through to other sectors and, to an increasing extent, other regions.

"By contrast, greater rating Outlook stability was shown in US public finance, corporates and infrastructure," it said.

Fitch said the weak US recovery reflected the gradual rebalancing of the economy, such as the unwinding of excessive household debt and the housing market correction, rather than a permanent downshift in the growth rate of the economy.

However, it pointed out the risks included uncertainty regarding fiscal policy and the diminished capacity for significant fiscal and monetary policy stimulus.

As for many large emerging markets, it said they were facing slowing growth and macroeconomic policy or rebalancing challenges.

"This is even as emerging market economies generally are showing impressive resilience to tough global conditions and are outperforming developed countries," it said.

The universe of highest grade ratings ('AAA' and 'AA') continued to shrink, with all eight global sectors seeing reductions since the end of 2010.

The sharpest decline occurred in international public finance, where eurozone sovereign downgrades had a negative knock-on effect and the high-grade rating segment halved to 26% in the last six months.

SME Bank issues inaugural RM3bil govt-guaranteed sukuk

KUALA LUMPUR: SME Bank Bhd will issue a RM3bil government-guaranteed Islamic medium-term notes (IMTN) programme with tenure of up to 20 years for its syariah-compliant working capital requirements.

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/7/21/business/11702934&sec=business
Published: July 21, 2012

Managing director Datuk Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus said the first issuance of the IMTN programme would employ the wakalah structure, which was widely accepted in the Gulf Cooperation Council region.

“The sukuk programme will help us revamp our business model to support growth and empower small and medium enterprise (SME) ecosystem through our network and provide additional funds to assist more SMEs,” he said at the sukuk issuance ceremony yesterday.

Minister of Finance II Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah witnessed the signing ceremony.
“The first tranche involves RM500mil for a tenure of seven to 10 years, while the second tranche will probably be issued by year-end or early next year,” he said.

In line with the other recent government-guaranteed issuances, income tax payable by investors on the periodic distributions of the bank's sukuk would be remitted in full, Mohd Radzif said. “The first tranche involving RM500mil for a tenure of seven to 10 years, while the second tranches will probably be issued by year-end or early next year,” he said.

The sukuk would probably yield 3.5%. However, it still depended on a book-building exercise, said its corporate planning & strategy, vice president/head, Mohamad Sabir Mohamad Sabri.

The bank has appointed AmInvestment Bank Bhd, Kuwait Finance House (M) Bhd and Maybank Investment Bank Bhd as the joint lead arrangers and joint lead managers for the sukuk.

Earlier, SME Bank inked an agreement to set up a RM263mil 1-SME Rationalised Fund with the Ministry of Finance to facilitate and optimise the financing activity and accessibility by target groups.

Meanwhile, Husni also launched the SME Revitalisation Scheme (SRS), also known as the “2nd Chance Programme,” to help viable but distressed SMEs secure additional financing. Bernama

Expert tips for winning award (Exim Bank)

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/7/21/business/11704397&sec=business

Published: July 21, 2012
By NG BEI SHAN
beishan@thestar.com.my

Petaling Jaya: Good documentation and professionalism will help businesses stand out in the evaluation process for awards such as the Star Business Awards (SOBA), said a branding expert.

Branding Association of Malaysia president Eric Chong said that applicants should put some effort into their submissions to draw the attention judges during the selection process.

Chong was speaking at SOBA Helpdesk which answered queries from interested participants and provided tips for preparing a proper application.

He said submissions should be comprehensive yet concise.

 

Chong: ‘Participants should make some effort to ensure that the compilation of documents is presentable. The more time judges spend on your submission, the more advantage you have over your competitors.’

 

“A serious submission must have some content. Participants should make some effort to ensure that the compilation of documents is presentable,” he said. “The more time judges spend on your submission, the more advantage you have over your competitors.”

SOBA is awarded to companies in various sub-categories. Companies can participate in multiple categories.
“You should participate in the categories that you are confident in to maintain the credibility of your organisation,” he said.

Winners of the award get more than RM1mil worth of advertising space and airtime.

There are eight categories for the top-of-the-class awards: Best Use of ICT, Best Marketing Strategy, Best Brand, Best in Corporate Social Responsibility, Best Green Initiative, Best Employer, Best Innovation and Best Global Market.

Additionally, there are three awards for outstanding achievement: Rising Star, Entrepreneur of the Year and Malaysian Business of the Year.

“All the categories are open for submission except for Malaysian Business of the Year, which will be selected based on nomination by the judges,” he said.

Judges could understand the company better when comprehensive information was available for the evaluation process, Chong said.

He encouraged companies to participate in the business award as judging criteria was based on the potential of the business and not solely on the size or profitability of an organisation.

“This is a platform for small medium enterprises to grow further. Participants can leverage on this platform to gauge their strengths while standing a chance to gain recognition,” he added.

He emphasised that the award has a transparent framework. “All judges are independent of each other, represented by various organisations,” he said.

The inaugural SOBA in 2010 drew 84 entries, and 115 companies took part the following year. This year, the number of entries is expected to exceed 150.

Victor Choo, the chief operation officer of a security and safety company, said he was interested in the award because it could boost the company's branding through creating awareness among public.
And restaurant operations manager Dev Ananth said he would use the platform to take his business to a higher level.

BDO executive director Elaine Hong and Star Publications (M) Bhd manager of events communications Linda Sharini were also at SOBA Helpdesk to answer queries from participants.

Exim Bank is the presenter of SOBA. The award is supported by Bursa Malaysia and audited by BDO. Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur is the official hotel partner. Red Tomato is the official Chinese newspaper, while 988FM and RedFM are the official radio stations.
The closing date for applications is Aug 17, 2012.

For more information on SOBA and ways to submit an entry, visit www.soba.com.my or call 03-7967 1388 ext 1244/1237/1475.

SME Bank in sukuk deal

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/smekuk/Article/

Published: July 21, 2012
By Kamarul Yunus

SME Bank Bhd, a development financial institution, has made its maiden foray into the Islamic capital market with a RM3 billion government-guaranteed Islamic Medium Term Notes (IMTN) programme.


Managing director Datuk Mohd Razif Mohd Yunus said proceeds from the sukuk with tenure of up to 20 years will be used as working capital.

The first issuance of RM500 million will use the Wakalah structure, which is widely accepted in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, company officials said.

"The sukuk programme will help us revamp our business model to support growth and provide additional funds to assist more SMEs (small and medium enterprises)," he told reporters after the sukuk signing agreement. It was witnessed by Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.

Mohd Razif said the bank decided on the sukuk as it believes the situation now is a good opportunity to raise fund.


"It's an opportunity as the government is focusing on enhancing the Islamic finance and banking. Therefore, it is good time to raise money from the market for the purpose of funding and supporting government's agenda," he said.

Mohd Razif said the first RM500 million tranche has a tenure of seven to 10 years, while the second tranche is expected to be issued by the year end or early next year.

"The sukuk will probably yield 3.5 per cent. However, it still depends on a book-building exercise and take-up of the first tranche," he said.

SME Bank appointed AmInvestment Bank Bhd, Kuwait Finance House (M) Bhd and Maybank Investment Bank Bhd as joint lead arrangers and joint lead managers.

SME Bank also signed an agreement to establish a RM263 million 1-SME Rationalised Fund with the Finance Ministry.

Under the programme, 18 funds supervised by the International Trade and Industry Ministry will be rationalised into five groups managed by SME Bank.

Ahmad Husni also launched the RM100 million SME Revitalisation Scheme (SRS).

Also known as the "2nd Chance Programme", the scheme is to assist viable but distressed SMEs to secure additional financing for their businesses. SRS will help facilitate the restructuring of financially-troubled SMEs.

Mohd Razif is confident that the SMEs' targeted contribution to Malaysia's gross domestic product by 2020 can be achieved with the continuous support from the government and financial institutions.

Ahmad Husni said the SME contribution should grow to 41 per cent by 2020 from 32 per cent in 2010.

"This increase would not only come from the growth in the number of SMEs but more importantly, in the value of economic activities that the industry will be creating during that period," he said.

SME Bank Bhd akan menerbitkan Program sukuk RM3b

Source from (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/ProgramsukukRM3b/Article/index_html

Published: July 21, 2012


TERBIT SUKUK...(dari kiri) Mohd Radzif, Gumuri, Ahmad Husni dan 
Dr Mohd Irwan melihat dokumen pada Program IMTN di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

SME Bank Bhd akan menerbitkan Program Nota Jangka Sederhana Islam jaminan kerajaan (Program IMTN) bernilai RM3 bilion membabitkan tempoh matang hingga 20 tahun untuk keperluan modal kerja patuh syariah.

Pengarah Urusannya, Datuk Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus berkata, program sukuk itu dapat membantu pihaknya menyusun semula model perniagaan bagi menyokong pertumbuhan serta memperkasa ekosistem perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) menerusi rangkaian syarikat.

“Selain itu, program ini dapat menyediakan dana tambahan untuk membantu lebih banyak penggiat PKS. Terbitan pertama program IMTN akan menggunakan struktur wakalah yang diterima secara meluas di negara Majlis Kerjasama Teluk,” katanya pada majlis menandatangani terbitan sukuk berkenaan di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Majlis berkenaan disaksikan Menteri Kewangan Kedua, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, Pengerusi SME Bank, Datuk Gumuri Hussain dan Timbalan Ketua Setiausaha (Dasar) Kementerian Kewangan, Datuk Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah.

Beliau berkata, tranche pertama itu membabitkan jumlah RM500 juta untuk tempoh tujuh hingga 10 tahun.

“Tranche kedua pula mungkin akan diterbitkan menjelang akhir tahun atau awal tahun depan,” katanya.

Sebelum itu, SME Bank menandatangani perjanjian untuk menubuhkan Dana Terselaras 1-SME bernilai RM263 juta dengan Kementerian Kewangan bagi mempermudah dan mengoptimum kegiatan pembiayaan dan capaian kumpulan sasaran.

Menerusi program itu, sebanyak 18 dana di bawah penyeliaan Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri (Miti), diselaraskan kepada lima kumpulan yang diuruskan SME Bank.

Husni turut melancarkan Skim Penyuburan Semula PKS (PSP) yang juga dikenali sebagai Program Peluang Kedua bagi membantu penggiat PKS yang berdaya maju tetapi bermasalah mendapatkan pembiayaan tambahan untuk perniagaan yang dijalankan.

“Skim ini bertujuan memudahkan penyusunan dan penjadualan semula pembiayaan institusi kewangan yang mengambil bahagian selain memberi kemudahan pembiayaan tambahan kepada penggiat PKS berdaya maju dengan pembiayaan tertunggak atau terjejas, tertakluk kepada jumlah pembiayaan agregat maksimum tidak lebih RM5 juta, termasuk pembiayaan baru di bawah PSP,” katanya.

Tabung Haji Ada RM3.5b lagi

Tabung Haji, yang sedang memuktamadkan pengambilalihan harta komersial pertamanya di London, masih mempunyai wang untuk membuat pembelian pada masa depan.

Source from (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/AdaRM3_5blagi/Article/index_html
Published: July 21, 2012

Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Datuk Ismee Ismail berkata, Tabung Haji hanya menggunakan separuh daripada RM7 bilion yang diperuntukkan untuk membeli hartanah di Malaysia dan luar negara. Beliau berkata, dana RM7 bilion itu adalah 20 peratus daripada keseluruhan dana yang diuruskan oleh Tabung Haji yang kini berjumlah RM35 bilion.

“Saya rasa kita masih belum cukup melabur. Pelaburan dalam hartanah belumpun mencecah RM7 bilion. Tumpuan kita, pertama, ialah terhadap harta di Malaysia dan kita sudah mula melakukannya sejak tiga tahun lalu,” katanya.

Katanya, baki peruntukan sebanyak RM3.5 bilion mungkin tidak habis digunakan keseluruhannya tahun ini meskipun ada banyak harta berdaya maju yang ditawarkan.

Mengenai cadangan membeli bangunan komersial di London, beliau berkata, urus niaga itu yang dianggarkan bernilai 165 juta pound, dijangka selesai menjelang September ini. “Di United Kingdom, kita mahu membeli bangunan komersial tetapi bukan hotel atau perumahan kerana kita akan mendapat jangkaan pulangan sewaan yang munasabah dan jangka sewaan yang panjang.

“Berdasarkan analisis pelaburan tabung itu, pelaburan di London, jika dibiayai sepenuhnya melalui tunai, pulangan yang dijangkakan ialah sekurang-kurangnya 5.2 hingga 5.5 peratus setahun,” katanya sambil menambah selain London, Tabung Haji juga giat mencari peluang untuk melabur dalam hartanah di Makkah dan Madinah serta Jeddah, Arab Saudi.

Ismee berkata, Tabung Haji kini meraih pendapatan berulang daripada pajakan Hotel Hajar Towers di Mekah selama 25 tahun dan pajakan Hotel Movenpick di Madinah selama 10 tahun. Ketika ini, Tabung Haji memiliki beberapa mercu tanda di Kuala Lumpur, termasuk bangunan Tabung Haji, TH Selborn, Menara Tabung Haji di Platinum Park serta bangunan pejabat butik 13 tingkat Bangsar. - Bernama

StanChart Saadiq offers PruBSN takaful products

KUALA LUMPUR (July 20, 2012): Prudential BSN Takaful Bhd (PruBSN) has teamed up with Standard Chartered Saadiq Bhd to jointly offer takaful products.

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/441686
Published: July 20, 2012

StanChart Saadiq CEO Wasim Saifi said the bank has made available three new takaful investment-linked plans underwritten by PruBSN at eight of its branches. The takaful products will also be available at the 32 conventional StanChart branches in the country soon.

Specially tailored for each stage of an individual's life, the SmartEdu-I, FirstHorizon-I and LifeLink-i plans allow customers the flexibility to secure protection and investment plan that suits their lifestyle and financial needs.

"As we move into wealth management, offering takaful products is a natural progression to meet the needs of our customers. This partnership reflects our commitment towards providing a broader range of syariah-compliant financial solutions covering Islamic banking and takaful to meet the demands of our customers," Wasim said at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between PruBSN and StanChart Saadiq yesterday.

PruBSN CEO Azim Mithani said the collaboration will further strengthen its distribution reach. Its annual contribution equivalent as at March 31, 2012 stood at RM63.1 million, maintaining its position as the leading takaful operator with a market share of 29.5%.

With only 10% of the country's population having a family takaful policy, the local takaful industry remains largely untapped and is poised to benefit in the years ahead on the back of increasingly strong consumer demand.

StanChart Saadiq currently contributes 11% to Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Bhd's revenue and 25% to the group's Islamic banking business globally.

Wasim, who is also StanChart global head of Islamic consumer banking, said the bank is evaluating opportunities in Africa and the Middle East to further expand its Islamic banking business.

StanChart Saadiq is currently present in Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with Kuala Lumpur being its global hub for Islamic banking.

PruBSN, Standard Chartered Saadiq jalin kerjasama

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/prubsn-standard-chartered-saadiq-jalin-kerjasama-1.68495

Published: July 20, 2012
NORHANA FARIZA HARUN

Azim (dua, kiri) bertukar dokumen bersama Wasim 

Saifi selepas perjanjian persefahaman, semalam.

PRUDENTIAL BSN Takaful Bhd (PruBSN) dan Standard Chartered Saadiq Bhd (Standard Chartered Saadiq) menjalin usaha sama strategik bagi menawarkan penyelesaian Takaful yang berinovasi kepada pelanggan.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Azim Mithani berkata, pihaknya berbesar hati dapat bekerjasama bersama bank Islam yang kukuh seperti Standard Chartered Saadiq dalam menyediakan perlindungan Takaful dan pelan simpanan yang sesuai.

“Kami yakin kerjasama ini akan mengukuhkan lagi capaian pengedaran dan paling penting akan memantapkan lagi pengalaman pelanggan bank.

“Melalui kerjasama ini juga, kami menjangkakan sumbangan yang besar kepada PruBSN agar terus kekal menjadi peneraju operator Takaful dengan penguasaan pasaran 29.5 peratus pada suku pertama tahun ini,” katanya selepas menandatangani perjanjian persefahaman antara PruBSN dan Standard Chartered Saadiq Bhd, di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Dengan termeterainya perjanjian ini, Standard Chartered Saadiq menyediakan tiga pelaburan Takaful di cawangannya di bawah PruBSN iaitu SmartEdu-i, FirstHorizon-i dan LifeLink-i. Sementara itu, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Standard Chartered Saadiq, Wasim Saifi berkata, buat masa ini, Standard Charterd Saadiq menyumbang kira-kira 11 peratus bagi segmen perbankan Islam terhadap perolehan keseluruhan Standard Charterd Bank Malaysia Bhd.

“Malah, sumbangan Standard Chartered Saadiq terhadap perolehanStandard Chartered di peringkat global juga masih rendah memandangkan perbankan Islam ini hanya dikendalikan di enam negara termasuk Indonesia, Bangladesh, Emiriah Arab Bersatu (UAE), Pakistan dan Bahrain. Standard Chartered Saadiq juga kini sedang menilai untuk meluaskan operasi di negara lain bergantung kepada peluang pasaran.

SME Bank to issue RM3bil govt-guaranteed sukuk

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/7/20/business/20120720141448&sec=business

Published: July 20, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: SME Bank Bhd will issue a RM3 billion government-guaranteed Islamic Medium-Term Notes Programme (IMTN Programme) with tenure of up to 20 years for its syariah-compliant working capital requirements.

Its managing director, Datuk Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus, said the first issuance of the IMTN programme would employ the wakalah structure, which was widely accepted in the Gulf Cooperation Council region.

"The sukuk programme will help us revamp our business model to support growth and empower small and medium enterprise (SME) ecosystem through our network and provide additional funds to assist more SMEs," he told reporters at the signing ceremony of the sukuk issuance here today.

Minister of Finance II Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah witnessed the signing ceremony.
"The first tranche involves RM500 million for a tenure of seven to 10 years, while the second tranche will probably be issued by year-end or early next year," he said.

In line with the other recent government-guaranteed issuances, income tax payable by investors on the periodic distributions of the bank's sukuk would be remitted in full, Mohd Radzif said.

"The first tranche involving RM500 million for a tenure of seven to 10 years, while the second tranches will probably issue by year-end or early next year," he said.

The sukuk would probably yield 3.5 per cent, however, it still depend on a book-building exercise, said its corporate planning & strategy, vice president/head, Mohamad Sabir Mohamad Sabri.

The bank has appointed AmInvestment Bank Bhd, Kuwait Finance House (M) Bhd and Maybank Investment Bank Bhd as the joint lead arrangers and joint lead managers for the sukuk.

Earlier, SME Bank inked an agreement to set up a RM263 million 1-SME Rationalised Fund with the Ministry of Finance to facilitate and optimise the financing activity and accessibility by target groups.

Under the programme, 18 funds under the supervision of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry were rationalised into five groups managed by SME Bank.

Meanwhile, Husni also launched the SME Revitalisation Scheme (SRS), also known as the "2nd Chance Programme", to help viable but distressed SMEs secure additional financing for the ongoing business.

The scheme is to facilitate the restructuring and rescheduling of "participating financial institutions" financing and to extend additional financing facilities to viable SMEs with delinquent or impaired financing, subject to maximum aggregate financing amount of not more than RM5 million, inclusive new financing under the SRS.
"The initiatives that we are launching today will act as catalysts for the SME industry," Husni said. -BERNAMA

SME Bank to issue RM3b term notes

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120720124544/Article/index_html

Published: July 20, 2012

SME Bank Bhd will issue a RM3 billion government-guaranteed Islamic Medium-Term Notes Programme (IMTN Programme) with
tenure of up to 20 years for its syariah-compliant working capital requirements.

Its managing director, Datuk Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus, said the first issuance of the IMTN programme would employ the wakalah structure, which was widely accepted in the Gulf Cooperation Council region.

"The sukuk programme will help us revamp our business model to support growth and empower small and medium enterprise (SME) ecosystem through our network and provide additional funds to assist more SMEs," he told reporters at the signing ceremony of the sukuk issuance in Kuala Lumpur today.

In line with the other recent government-guaranteed issuances, income tax payable by investors on the periodic distributions of the bank's sukuk would be remitted in full, Mohd Radzif said.

"The first tranche involves RM500 million for a tenure of seven to 10 years, while the second tranche will probably be issued by year-end or early next year," he said. -- BERNAMA

Baki dana beli hartanah RM3.5 bilion

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/BakidanabelihartanahRM3_5bilion/Article

Published: July 20, 2012

Tabung Haji tidak labur sepenuhnya tahun ini
Kuala Lumpur: Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH), yang sedang memuktamadkan pembelian hartanah komersial pertamanya di London, masih mempunyai dana untuk membuat pembelian hartanah lain pada masa akan datang. 

Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan dan Ketua Eksekutifnya, Datuk Ismee Ismail, berkata LTH hanya menggunakan separuh daripada RM7 bilion yang diperuntukkan bagi membeli hartanah di Malaysia dan luar negara.
Dana RM7 bilion itu adalah 20 peratus daripada keseluruhan dana diuruskan LTH yang kini mencecah RM35 bilion.

“Saya rasa kita masih belum cukup melabur. Pelaburan dalam hartanah belum mencecah RM7 bilion. Tumpuan kita, pertamanya, ialah hartanah di Malaysia dan kita sudah mula melabur sejak tiga tahun lalu,” kata beliau pada satu temu bual.

Pelaburan di London
Ismee berkata, baki peruntukan RM3.5 bilion, mungkin tidak akan dilaburkan sepenuhnya pada tahun ini meskipun ada banyak hartanah berdaya maju yang ditawarkan.
“Bangunan memang banyak, tetapi kita perlu berhati-hati dalam penilaian kita sebelum membelinya.

“Setiap tahun, kita kena memberi pulangan yang berdaya saing, jadi kita akan sentiasa mengkaji pelaburan yang boleh memberi pulangan berulang.

“Saya yakin sektor hartanah adalah sektor yang menjanjikan pulangan yang berulang setiap tahun,” katanya.

Mengenai cadangan membeli bangunan komersial di London, beliau berkata, urus niaga itu yang dianggarkan £165 juta (RM210.27 juta), dijangka selesai menjelang September ini.

Bangunan komersial
“Di United Kingdom, kita mahu membeli bangunan komersial tetapi bukan hotel atau perumahan kerana kita akan mendapat jangkaan pulangan sewaan munasabah dalam jangka panjang.

“Macam bangunan yang kita sedang kaji ini, jangkaan sewaannya adalah selama 13 tahun. Inilah jenis harta yang kita cari bagi pelaburan hartanah,” jelas beliau.

Ismee berkata, berdasarkan analisis pelaburan LTH, pelaburan di London, jika dibiayai sepenuhnya melalui tunai, unjuran pulangannya adalah berdaya saing iaitu sekurang-kurangnya 5.2 hingga 5.5 peratus setahun.

Hartanah di Makkah
“Kita akan menggunakan wang tunai, tetapi mungkin membiayai semula pembelian itu melalui pinjaman bank.

“Ini pembelian pertama kita, jadi saya rasa kita akan lakukannya secara berperingkat,” katanya.

LTH giat mencari peluang melabur dalam hartanah di Makkah dan Madinah serta Jeddah di Arab Saudi.

Ismee berkata, Arab Saudi tidak membenarkan bukan warga negaranya memiliki harta di Makkah dan Madinah, jadi pelaburan Tabung Haji mesti melalui pajakan jangka panjang. - BERNAMA

SME Bank Issues Inaugural RM3 Billion Government-Guaranteed Sukuk

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsbusiness.php?id=682104

Published: July 20, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- SME Bank Bhd will issue a RM3 billion government-guaranteed Islamic Medium-Term Notes Programme (IMTN Programme) with tenure of up to 20 years for its syariah-compliant working capital requirements.

Its managing director, Datuk Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus, said the first issuance of the IMTN programme would employ the wakalah structure, which was widely accepted in the Gulf Cooperation Council region.

"The sukuk programme will help us revamp our business model to support growth and empower small and medium enterprise (SME) ecosystem through our network and provide additional funds to assist more SMEs," he told reporters at the signing ceremony of the sukuk issuance here today.

Minister of Finance II Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah witnessed the signing ceremony.

In line with the other recent government-guaranteed issuances, income tax payable by investors on the periodic distributions of the bank's sukuk would be remitted in full, Mohd Radzif said.

"The first tranche involves RM500 million for a tenure of seven to 10 years, while the second tranche will probably be issued by year-end or early next year," he said.

In line with the other recent government-guaranteed issuances, income tax payable by investors on the periodic distributions of the bank's sukuk would be remitted in full, Mohd Radzif said.

"The first tranche involving RM500 million for a tenure of seven to 10 years, while the second tranches will probably issue by year-end or early next year," he said.

The sukuk would probably yield 3.5 per cent, however, it still depend on a book-building exercise, said its corporate planning & strategy, vice president/head, Mohamad Sabir Mohamad Sabri.

The bank has appointed AmInvestment Bank Bhd, Kuwait Finance House (M) Bhd and Maybank Investment Bank Bhd as the joint lead arrangers and joint lead managers for the sukuk.

Earlier, SME Bank inked an agreement to set up a RM263 million 1-SME Rationalised Fund with the Ministry of Finance to facilitate and optimise the financing activity and accessibility by target groups.

Under the programme, 18 funds under the supervision of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry were rationalised into five groups managed by SME Bank.

Meanwhile, Husni also launched the SME Revitalisation Scheme (SRS), also known as the "2nd Chance Programme", to help viable but distressed SMEs secure additional financing for the ongoing business.

The scheme is to facilitate the restructuring and rescheduling of "participating financial institutions" financing and to extend additional financing facilities to viable SMEs with delinquent or impaired financing, subject to maximum aggregate financing amount of not more than RM5 million, inclusive new financing under the SRS.

"The initiatives that we are launching today will act as catalysts for the SME industry," Husni said.

-- BERNAMA

Tabung Haji still has RM3.5b to buy properties, says group MD

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/7/19/business/20120719155849&sec=business

Published: July 20, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH), which is in the midst of finalising its first commercial property acquisition in London, still has the cash to make more acquisitions.

Its group managing director/chief executive officer, Datuk Ismee Ismail, said the pilgrims fund board has only used half of the RM7bil that it has allocated to acquire real estate in Malaysia and overseas.

In an interview with Bernama, he said the RM7bil fund accounted for 20% of the total fund managed by LTH, currently amounted to RM35bil.

"I think we are still under-invested. The investment in real estate has not touched RM7bil. Our focus firstly will be on properties in Malaysia, which we have started doing that for the past three years," he said.

Ismee said the remaining RM3.5 billion allocation may not be used up entirely this year even though there were many viable properties up for grabs. - Bernama

Tabung Haji has cash to buy more properties

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/19HAJI/Article/

Published: July 20, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Lembaga Tabung Haji, which is in the midst of finalising its first commercial property acquisition in London, still has the cash to make more acquisitions going forward.

Its group managing director/chief executive officer Datuk Ismee Ismail said the pilgrims fund board has only used half of the RM7 billion that it has allocated to acquire real estate in Malaysia and overseas.

In an interview, he said the RM7 billion accounted for 20 per cent of the total fund managed by Tabung Haji, currently amounting to RM35 billion.

"I think we are still under-investing. The investment in real estate has not touched RM7 billion. Our focus firstly will be on properties in Malaysia, which we have started for the past three years," he said.

Ismee said the remaining RM3.5 billion may not be used up entirely this year even though there were many viable properties up for grabs. Bernama

Tabung Haji masih ada dana RM 3.5 b untuk beli harta

KUALA LUMPUR - Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH), yang sedang memuktamadkan pengambilalihan harta komersial pertamanya di London, masih mempunyai wang untuk membuat pembelian pada masa akan datang.

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/tabung-haji-masih-ada-dana-rm-3-5-b-untuk-beli-harta-1.68305
Published: July 20, 2012

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Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan/Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Datuk Ismee Ismail, berkata lembaga tabung haji itu telah menggunakan hanya separuh daripada RM7 bilion yang telah diperuntukannya untuk membeli hartanah di Malaysia dan luar negara.
Dalam satu temu bual dengan Bernama, beliau berkata dana RM7 bilion itu merupakan 20 peratus daripada keseluruhan dana yang diuruskan oleh LTH, yang kini berjumlah RM35 bilion.

"Saya rasa kita masih belum cukup melabur. Pelaburan dalam hartanah belumpun mencecah RM7 bilion. Tumpuan kita, pertamanya, ialah terhadap harta di Malaysia,
dan kita telahpun mula melakukannya sejak tiga tahun lepas," kata beliau.

Ismee berkata baki peruntukan sebanyak RM3.5 bilion mungkin habis digunakan keseluruhannya tahun ini meskipun ada banyak harta berdaya maju yang ditawarkan.

"Bangunan memang banyak, tetapi kita perlu berhati-hati dalam penilaian kita sebelum membelinya.

"Setiap tahun, kita kena memberi pulangan yang kompetitif jadi kita akan sentiasa kaji pelaburan yang boleh memberi pulangan yang berulang dan saya percaya sektor hartanah adalah satu sektor yang menjanjikan pulangan yang berulang setiap tahun," katanya.

Mengenai cadangan membeli bangunan komersial di London, beliau berkata, urus niaga ini, yang dianggarkan bernilai 165 juta pound, dijangka selesai menjelang September ini.

"Di United Kingdom, kita mahu membeli bangunan komersil tetapi bukan hotel atau perumahan kerana kita akan mendapat jangkaan pulangan sewaan yang munasabah
dan jangka sewaan yang panjang.

"Macam bangunan yang kita sedang kaji ini, jangkaan sewaannya adalah selama 13 tahun. Inilah jenis harta yang kita cari bagi pelaburan hartanah," jelas beliau.

Ismee berkata berdasarkan analisis pelaburan tabung itu, pelaburan di London, jika dibiayai sepenuhnya melalui tunai, pulangan yang dijangkakan ialah sekurang-kurangnya 5.2 hingga 5.5 peratus setahun, dan ini berdaya saing.

"Jika kita gunakan satu peratusan tertentu nisbah hutang berbanding modal dan menghambil pinjaman bank, hasil atau sewa akan meningkat.

"Pada masa ini, kita akan menggunakan wang tunai tetapi mungkin membiayai semula pembelian itu melalui pinjaman bank kemudian nanti.

"Ini pembelian pertama kita, jadi saya rasa kita akan lakukannya langkah demi langkah," katanya, sambil menambah bahawa LTH juga sedang giat mencari lebih banyak harta komersial di London.

Selain London, LTH juga giat mencari peluang untuk melabur dalam hartanah di Mekah dan  Madinah serta Jeddah, Arab Saudi, katanya.

Ismee berkata, Arab Saudi tidak membenarkan bukan warga negara memiliki harta di Mekah dan Madinah, jadi, sebarang pelaburan oleh Tabung Haji mestilah melalui pajakan jangka panjang.

Tabung Haji kini meraih pendapatan berulang daripada pajakan Hotel Hajar Towers di Mekah selama 25 tahun, dan pajakan Hotel Movenpick di Madinah selama 10 tahun.

Pada masa ini, Tabung Haji juga memiliki beberapa mercu tanda di Kuala Lumpur, termasuk bangunan Tabung Haji, TH Selborn, Menara Tabung Haji di Platinum Park serta bangunan pejabat butik 13 tingkat Bangsar. - Bernama

Zecon to sell Kuching mall to LTH for RM156m

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/441563

Published: July 20, 2012
sunbiz@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA (July 19, 2012): Zecon Bhd is selling a retail mall in Kuching, Sarawak, which will be developed by its unit Zecon Land Sdn Bhd, to Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) for RM155.9 million.

Zecon, via units Zecon Land and Zecon Petra Jaya Sdn Bhd, had today entered into an agreement with LTH for the proposed sale.

At the request of LTH, Zecon Land will construct a retail mall with a gross floor area of 774,859 sq ft on a 5ha piece of land which forms part of an integrated mixed development called Vista Tunku Project.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, Zecon said the development of the retail mall will be funded via internal funds and/or borrowings and is anticipated to be completed within 24 months.

Zecon unit signs S&P deal with LTH

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120719234832/Article/

Published: July 20, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Zecon Bhd’s unit, Zecon Land Sdn Bhd (ZLSB), has signed a sale and purchase (S&P) agreement with Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) to sell a retail mall for RM155.85 million.

In an announcement to Bursa Malaysia, Zecon said it will build an integrated mixed development known as the Vista Tunku Project on the project land.

The project is expected to be completed within 24 months.

1MDB taja lebih ramai bakal haji tahun ini

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2012&dt=0720&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Dalam_Negeri&pg=dn_02.htm

Published: July 20, 2012

Najib Tun Razak memakaikan kopiah kepada Tokoh Imam Kebangsaan 2011, 

Sheikh Roslan Abd. Halim, Imam Masjid Zahir, Kedah pada Majlis Perhimpunan 

Perdana Warga Imam dan Jawatankuasa Masjid Seluruh Negara di Taman Ekspo 

Pertanian Malaysia Serdang (MAEPS), semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR 19 Julai - Seramai 400 orang imam dan pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK) mendapat tajaan menunaikan ibadat haji di bawah Program Khas Haji 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) tahun ini.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata, lebih ramai imam dan pengerusi JKKK berpeluang mengerjakan haji di Mekah pada musim ini berbanding hanya seramai 111 orang tahun lalu.

Menurut beliau, kerajaan prihatin dengan kesulitan yang dihadapi oleh imam-imam yang kurang berkemampuan untuk membiayai kos menunaikan haji.

“Sedih saya tengok, sebab itu kita naikkan jumlah kepada 400 orang terdiri daripada seramai 200 imam dan 200 pengerusi JKKK mulai tahun ini.

“Insya-Allah, kita akan meneruskan program ini pada tahun-tahun akan datang supaya semua imam dapat peluang untuk menunaikan ibadat haji sekiranya mereka tidak berkemampuan," katanya ketika berucap pada Majlis Perhimpunan Perdana Warga Imam dan Jawatankuasa Masjid Seluruh Negara di Taman Ekspo Pertanian Malaysia Serdang (MAEPS) dekat sini hari ini.

Turut hadir Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom; Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Dr. Mashitah Ibrahim; Pengarah Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim), Datuk Othman Mustapha dan Tokoh Imam Kebangsaan 2011, Sheikh Roslan Abd. Halim.

Lebih 11,000 imam dan ahli jawatankuasa masjid dari seluruh negara hadir untuk mendengar amanat dan pengumuman yang disampaikan oleh Perdana Menteri pada perhimpunan yang julung-julung kali dianjurkan itu.

Najib turut mengumumkan pemberian kain untuk dibuat jubah kepada seramai 14,254 imam dan 138,746 ahli jawatankuasa masjid di seluruh negara.

Jelas beliau, kain berkualiti tinggi itu dipilihnya sendiri agar dapat dijadikan jubah oleh imam dan ahli jawatankuasa masjid serta dipakai pada Hari Raya Aidilfitri nanti.

Selain itu, katanya, semua masjid dan surau yang diberi tauliah untuk menganjurkan solat Jumaat di seluruh negara akan dibekalkan air zamzam dan kurma.

Almost A Million Tabung Haji Depositors Registered For Pilgrimage

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsgeneral.php?id=681143

Published: July 17, 2012

KOTA KINABALU, July 17 (Bernama) -- A total of 953,136 Tabung Haji depositors have registered for the haj pilgrimage this year with 25,282 of them from Sabah.

Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran said Tabung Haji currently had about 7.7 million depositors with Sabah residents accounting for 359,153 of them.

"As of June, 427 depositors from the state have been selected for the pilgrimage this year and the figure is expected to rise in the near future," he said replying to a question from Datuk Syed Abas Syed Ali (BN-Balung), at the State Assembly sitting, here Tuesday.

-- BERNAMA

Bank Rakyat Bahau beri bantuan kepada pelajar

JEMPOL 15 Julai - Bank Rakyat cawangan Bahau menyampaikan zakat perniagaan bernilai RM17,000 kepada 170 orang pelajar dalam program Di Ambang Ramadan di bank berkenaan baru-baru ini.
Sumbangan tersebut disempurnakan Ketua Wilayah Selatan, Abdul Lizam Muhamad Alias yang turut dihadiri Pengurus Bank Rakyat cawangan berkenaan, Norwati Aziz.

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2012&dt=0716&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Selatan&pg=ws_02.htm
Published: July 16, 2012

ABDUL Lizam Muhamad Alias (tengah) menyampaikan sumbangan 

kepada salah seorang penerima zakat perniagaan sambil disaksikan 

Norwati Aziz (kanan) pada program Di Ambang Ramadan di Jempol,

 Negeri Sembilan, baru-baru ini.

Abdul Lizam menjelaskan, pelajar yang menerima sumbangan itu dipilih daripada beberapa buah sekolah sekitar daerah ini.
Antaranya Sekolah Menengah Vokasional Juasseh, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Datuk Mansor, SMK Pasoh Dua, SMK Palong 11, Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Ulu Sungai Dua serta Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi Jempol.

''Bagi SK Serting Hilir Dua (Felda) pula mereka menerima bantuan baik pulih surau sebanyak RM5,000," katanya di sini baru-baru ini.

Tambah Abdul Lizam, Yayasan Bank Rakyat juga telah menyerahkan sebuah komputer kepada SK Serting Hilir.

''Kita turut menyampaikan set jersi bola sepak untuk kegunaan pelajar SK Rompin manakala sebuah mesin cetak untuk SK Lui Muda,'' jelasnya.

Beliau berkata, warga kerja Bank Rakyat juga mengumpulkan sumbangan peribadi untuk disalurkan kepada pihak yang memerlukan bantuan.

"Ia diberikan kepada Yayasan Kasih Sayang, Kuala Pilah bagi manfaat 22 orang pelajar serta empat buah keluarga saudara baru.

"Selain itu sumbangan peribadi ini turut disalurkan kepada Madrasah Darul Islah Pondok Ulu Gemilang, Kuala Pilah untuk lima orang pelajarnya,'' katanya.

MIDF reiterates 'buy' call on Tenaga

MIDF Research expects Tenaga Nasional Bhd's (TNB) earnings visibility to remain intact given the continued additional fuel compensation despite the inconsistent gas supply. 

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120716172630/Article/index_html
Published: July 16, 2012

For TNB's upcoming third quarter (Q3) financial year 2012 (FY2012) results this Thursday, MIDF did not expect it to be a repeat of the bumper numbers as in Q2 FY2012 due to the shortage of gas supply, which necessitated TNB to burn more alternative fuels.

"This is also due to the weakening of the ringgit against the yen and US dollar," the research house said in a note today.

However, it said this would be offset by the fuel compensation realised in the Q3 FY2012 and lower coal prices.

"We are expecting its third quarter financial year 2012 net profit to be in the region of between RM600 million and RM700 million, a significant improvement over the RM500 million core net loss in same quarter last year," it added.

MIDF said the earnings figure excluded the RM250 million fuel compensation, which is a one-off item and forex translation loss of more than RM430 million.

"Hence, TNB's core net profit for the nine months in FY2012 is likely to soar to RM1.5 billion, which accounts to 54 per cent of our full FY2012 forecast," it added.

The research firm left its earnings forecast unchanged pending the release of Q3 FY2012 results. "We reiterate our 'buy' call on TNB with target price remaining unchanged at RM7.50," it added. -- Bernama

705 murid SKPP buka akaun Tabung Haji

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2012&dt=0716&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Utara&pg=wu_03.htm

Published: July 16, 2012

BUKIT MERTAJAM 15 Julai - Seramai 705 murid Sekolah Kebangsaan Permatang Pasir (SKPP) dekat Permatang Pauh menerima buku akaun Tabung Haji yang disumbangkan oleh Ahli Lembaga Pengarah Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia, Mohd. Zaidi Mohd. Said semalam.

Menurut Mohd. Zaidi, sumbangan buku akaun itu adalah sebagai usaha menggalakkan sikap suka menabung dalam kalangan murid-murid dan ia perlu disemai sejak kecil lagi.

"Sumbangan buku akaun ini adalah bagi menggalakkan murid-murid sekolah menabung sejak kecil bagi masa depan mereka serta membudayakan usaha berjimat-cermat.

"Biarpun jumlah pelaburan awal hanya RM5, namun ia mampu mencetus semangat mereka dan menggunakan duit belanja sekolah yang diterima sebaik-baiknya," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia selepas merasmikan Hari Anugerah Kecemerlangan Akademik SKPP.

EXIM Bank - Ramon: Inspire employees or risk losing them

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/7/14/business/11662168&sec=business

Published: July 14, 2012
By EUGENE MAHALINGAM
eugenicz@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Organisations need to be able to inspire their employees or risk losing them, according to Sunway Group corporate advisor Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam.

“A company that inspires is one that has good ethics, practises good governance and sells good products. Inspiration needs to be worked day and night,” he said at the final Star Business Awards (SOBA) Learning Series workshop here yesterday.

In his presentation “Building inspiration from within,” Ramon also said employees should aspire to work with organisations that share similar values as them.

“If the company you work for does not match your internal aspirations, then you should not serve with that organisation. Otherwise, there will be a conflict,” he said, adding that every organisation needs inspiring leaders to spearhead their corporations.

 

Ramon: ‘A company that inspires is one that has good ethics,

 practises good governance and sells good products. Inspiration 

needs to be worked day and night.’

 

Ramon also said individuals should strive to optimise their talents or risk letting it all go to waste.
“Don’t become a boat without a rudder, or you’ll just drift through life,” he said.
The Learning Series Workshop was organised in conjunction with SOBA 2012 and was attended by participants from various organisations, mainly from up-and-coming non-listed local companies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Themed “Thriving in Turbulent Times,” the workshop featured professionals and experienced entrepreneurs from Branding Association of Malaysia, Media Specialists Association, Malaysian Franchise Association and EXIM Bank who shared their ideas, strategies and experiences to help local fledging companies become future leaders.

Apart from Ramon, the workshop also featured Exim Bank financial institution head and assistant vice president Baharuddin Muslim as well as Exim Bank export credit insurance department assistant vice president Farizah Hashim (who spoke on the topic of “Export with absolute confidence”); Branding Association of Malaysia president Eric Chong (“Brilliance through branding”); Malaysian Franchise Association chairman Abdul Malik Abdullah (“Franchising - The way forward”); Media Specialists Association alternate council member and Carat Malaysia chief executive officer Bala Pomaleh (“The role of media in building brands”) and Nehemiah Reinforced Soil Sdn Bhd managing director Dr Nehemiah Lee (SOBA Success Story - “Making a difference through transformational entrepreneurship).

This year’s SOBA promises to see some significant enhancements. For one thing, the awards are divided into two broad categories - the top-of-the-class awards and outstanding achievement awards. There are eight sub-categories for the former and three for the latter.

There will also be a SOBA Helpdesk on Friday, July 20 from 10am to 12 noon at Menara Star, 15, Jalan 16/11, Petaling Jaya to help interested applicants with their enquiries and how to complete their submissions and application forms.

Exim Bank is the presenter of the awards, supported by Bursa Malaysia. The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur is the official hotel partner. Red Tomato is the official Chinese newspaper, while the official radio stations are 988FM and RedFM. The awards auditor is BDO.

For more information on the SOBA awards and the workshops, call 03-7967 1388 ext 1244/1237/1475.

Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Sedia ubah model perniagaan

KUALA LUMPUR 13 Julai - Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia (Bank Rakyat) sudah bersedia untuk mengubah model perniagaanya kepada lebih komersial dengan syarat Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) lebih bersedia memberi kelonggaran terhadap beberapa prosedur.

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2012&dt=0714&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Ekonomi&pg=ek_02.htm
Published: July 14, 2012

Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob berkata, perubahan model perniagaan Bank Rakyat memang suatu keperluan oleh bank koperasi itu bagi memastikan kelangsungan operasinya jangka panjang.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, perubahan itu sukar dilaksanakan memandangkan usahanya untuk mempelbagai produk dan peluasan operasi masih lagi dikekang oleh Bank Pusat.

"Bank Rakyat perlu pelbagaikan aktiviti tidak lagi boleh bergantung kepada perbankan runcit dan sebab itu Bank Rakyat mahu meningkatkan segmen perniagaan korporatnya.

"Seperti bank-bank lain, Bank Rakyat mahu menawarkan akaun semasa, memiliki perniagaan takaful, meluaskan Ar-Rahnu, melaksanakan pengambilan alih bank-bank kecil di luar negara tetapi kami tidak boleh dilaksanakan kerana terikat dengan BNM," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas laporan Utusan Malaysia mengenai perubahan model perniagaan Bank Rakyat untuk menjadikan ia lebih kompetitif.

Ismail Sabri berkata, perniagaan terbesar Bank Rakyat kini masih lagi pinjaman peribadi tetapi mengakui bank itu tidak boleh bergantung selama-lamanya memandangkan persaingan dalam industri perbankan negara cukup sengit.

Beliau turut memberi jaminan bahawa status Bank Rakyat sebagai bank koperasi tidak akan tergugat sedikit pun dengan model perniagaan baru bank berkenaan.

Sebaliknya, katanya, seandainya BNM melonggarkan syarat kepada Bank Rakyat dalam operasinya, bank itu mungkin mampu melangkah jauh lebih baik, sekali gus bersaing dengan bank-bank komersial yang lain.

"Statusnya (bank koperasi) akan kekal tetapi dengan penambahbaikan dalam model akan menjadikan Bank Rakyat jauh lebih baik dan maju pada masa depan.

"Ini bukan sahaja menjadi impian saya, lembaga pengarah, barisan pengurusan Bank Rakyat tetapi kami juga membawa mandat ahli-ahli Bank Rakyat yang mahu melihat prestasi bank itu dengan lebih baik," tegas Ismail Sabri.

Berhubung isu pelantikan peneraju Bank Rakyat, beliau berkata, pihaknya masih menunggu kelulusan daripada BNM.

Meskipun pelbagai spekulasi mengenai identiti calon jawatan nombor satu itu, Ismail Sabri tetap mahu kerusi itu diisi oleh 'orang dalam' Bank Rakyat.

"Penambahbaikan model perniagaan bank itu tidak akan terjejas dengan mengambil 'orang dalam' kerana bagi saya 'orang dalam' lebih memahami Bank Rakyat.

"Kalaupun Bank Rakyat kekurangan bahagian atau kepakaran dalam segmen-segmen tertentu, kita masih belum terlambat mewujudkan segmen berkenaan.

"Bagi saya cadangan untuk memasukkan 'orang luar' ke dalam Bank Rakyat akan hanya menjatuhkan moral kakitangan bank ini," jelasnya.

Tabung Haji sasar dividen tinggi

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/TabungHajisasardividentinggi/Article

Published: July 12, 2012

Tabung Haji menjangka dapat mengagihkan dividen lebih tinggi kepada pendepositnya tahun ini susulan pulangan menarik diraih daripada pelaburannya serta hasil penjualan pegangannya dalam syarikat perladangan di Indonesia.

Ia mencerminkan usaha lembaga itu memastikan modal pendeposit terus dilindungi, pada masa sama memberikan mereka pulangan menarik, kata Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan dan Ketua Eksekutifnya, Datuk Ismee Ismail. Beliau memberitahu BERNAMA pada temu bual baru-baru ini, Tabung Haji memastikan semua pelaburan yang dibuatnya akan memberikan pulangan.

“Tahun lalu, kami mengisytiharkan dividen enam peratus. Diharapkan kami boleh mengekalkan prestasi itu.

“Kami berusaha keras memastikan wang pendeposit serta modal dilindungi dan memastikan mereka mendapat pulangan yang baik,” katanya.

Ismee berkata, pulangan tinggi daripada pelaburan membolehkan Tabung Haji terus menyerap sebahagian kos mengerjakan haji rakyat Malaysia yang meningkat setiap tahun.

Tahun ini, katanya, subsidi bagi setiap jemaah naik kepada RM5,175 daripada RM4,320 tahun lalu susulan peningkatan kos penginapan, pengangkutan dan kos berkaitan, namun pendeposit yang mengerjakan haji kali pertama masih dikenakan bayaran RM9,980 bagi pakej haji, tidak pernah berubah sejak 2009.
Jangka panjang

Beliau berkata, pelaburan hartanah Tabung Haji di Makkah juga strategi jangka panjang mengurangkan kos mengerjakan haji kerana ia boleh menggunakan pulangan daripada pelaburan itu sebagai subsidi.

Mengenai penjualan 95 peratus pegangan Tabung Haji dalam PT TH Indo Plantations bernilai RM3 bilion, Ismee berkata, pembelinya diberi sehingga akhir Ogos ini menyiapkan proses kajian terperinci.

“Sudah tentu penjualan itu akan dimasukkan sebagai perkara luar biasa bagi tahun ini dan jelas sekali kami akan memperoleh keuntungan besar daripadanya.

“Kami akan mengisytiharkannya sebagai dividen kepada pendeposit, ia akan diterjemahkan kepada dividen tinggi," katanya.

Beli pegangan

Tabung Haji membeli pegangan dalam syarikat di Indonesia yang memiliki ladang seluas 83,879 hektar di Riau, Sumatera itu pada harga antara RM800 juta hingga RM1 bilion pada 1997.

Tabung Haji turut merancang menggunakan hasil jualan itu untuk meningkatkan penerokaannya dalam perladangan dan menyasar Malaysia dan Indonesia bagi kemungkinan pelaburan baru.

"Perladangan adalah satu daripada sektor yang mana Tabung Haji akan terus mengembangkan pembabitannya,” katanya.

Agrobank sasar biayai Paddy-i RM50 juta setahun

AGROBANK menyasarkan pembiayaan RM50 juta dalam tempoh setahun untuk produk terbarunya, Paddy-i yang bertujuan mengurangkan bebanan kewangan kepada pesawah di negara ini.

Source from (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/AgrobanksasarbiayaiPaddy-iRM50jutasetahun/Article/index_html

Presiden yang juga Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Wan Mohd Fadzmi Wan Othman berkata, sasaran itu membabitkan 10,000 peminjam di seluruh negara.

Beliau berkata, Paddy-i dan satu lagi produk terbaru Agrobank, Paddy Cash-i adalah konsep pembiayaan berasaskan syariah yang bukan saja boleh disalurkan untuk tanaman padi, malah boleh digunakan untuk keperluan peribadi seperti pendidikan anak-anak.

“Paddy-i adalah penambahbaikan kepada Skim Kredit Padi konvensional yang menawarkan pembiayaan modal pusingan sehingga RM2,500 sehektar dengan jumlah pembiayaan antara RM1,000 hingga RM50,000.

“Kadar keuntungan Paddy-i ialah 3.20 peratus semusim atau enam bulan bagi aktiviti tanaman padi di kawasan sawah yang disahkan agensi kerajaan berkaitan,” katanya pada sidang media selepas pelancaran kedua-dua produk itu oleh Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani, Datuk Seri Noh Omar di Tanjung Karang, Selangor, semalam.

Paddy Cash-i ialah pembiayaan mudah kepada pesawah untuk membiayai keperluan harian seperti membeli atau menyewa tanah, menyewa atau memajak tanah sawah, meratakan tanah sawah, membeli jentera pertanian dan lain-lain kegunaan. Jumlah pembiayaan adalah antara RM3,000 dan RM50,000 dengan kadar keuntungan 3.10 peratus atas kadar pembiayaan asas dengan tempoh maksimum selama tujuh tahun atau 14 musim. Wan Mohd Fadzmi berkata, konsep pembiayaan Paddy-i dan Paddy Cash-i adalah unik kerana ia disediakan khas untuk pesawah yang berdaftar dengan Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) dan tiada cagaran dikenakan manakala had umur peminjam pula sehingga 70 tahun bagi Paddy-i dan 65 tahun bagi Paddy Cash-i. - Bernama

Agrobank to disburse RM50m in loans

Agrobank expects to disburse at least RM50 million in loans with the launch of its latest product, Paddy-i, which is aimed at reducing the financial burden of the padi farmers in the country. 

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120713160319/Article/index_html
Published: July 13, 2012

Its president/chief executive officer, Wan Mohd Fadzmi Wan Othman, said the target involved signing up 10,000 borrowers nationwide.

"Paddy-i and another new product, Paddy Cash-i, which are syariah-compliant, can be used not only for padi planting but also the personal need like the education for the children," he said at a media briefing after the launch of the two products by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Noh
Omar, here today. Also present was chairman of Agrobank, Tan Sri Faizah Mohd Tahir.

Wan Mohd Fadzmi said Paddy-i was an enhancement over the conventional padi credit scheme which offered revolving capital financing of up to RM2,500 per hectare with total funding ranging from RM1,000 to RM50,000.

"Meanwhile, Paddy Cash-i involves helping the farmers finance their daily needs such as buying or renting land, rent or leasing their padi land and buying of agricultural machinery," he said.

He said the concepts of Paddy-i and Paddy Cash-i financing were unique as they were for farmers who were registered with Padiberas Nasional Bhd.

The scheme did not need a deposit and the age limit was 70 for Paddy-i and 65 for Paddy Cash-i, he said.

Earlier, Noh said the two products were expected to help the farmers increase their yield without the need to depend on government subsidies. -- Bernama

More Than 300 Retail Shops Transformed Under TUKAR Programme

PORT KLANG, July 13 (Bernama) -- A total of 338 retail shops premises have transformed under the Retail Shop Transformation Programme (TUKAR) while 300 more are on the waiting list. Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob said retail shops which were unable to undergo the transformation this year, would be included in the next year's list.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsgeneral.php?id=680494
Published: July 13, 2012

"Last year, a total of 519 retail premises were transformed under the Tukar programme," he told reporters after visiting the Pappathy Provision Store, a grocery store that benefited from the programme, at Jalan Kem here.

Ismail said the government allocated a total of RM50 million this year for the Tukar programme of which RM14.23 million been channeled to the beneficiaries through Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Bhd.

He noted that each of retail shop under the Tukar programme was given a loan of RM60,000 for renovation and RM20,000 for working capital this year, as compared to last year whereby only RM60,000 was given for renovation purposes.

Earlier, speaking to reporters at the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) Tower in KUALA LUMPUR, Ismail said the quota for cooking oil would be increased by 10 per cent from the original of 70,000 tonnes a month during Ramadan.

He said the increase was to meet higher demand from consumers.

He said this after witnessing the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SSM, the Cooperatives College of Malaysia (MKM) and Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa). The MoU was to strengthen cooperative operations in the country.

-- BERNAMA

Tabung Haji to pay higher dividends

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120712133007/Article/index_html

Published: July 12, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) is well-placed to disburse higher dividends this year to depositors following attractive returns on investments coupled with proceeds from the sale of its stake in a plantation company in Indonesia.

This is a reflection of the national pilgrim fund board's efforts to ensure depositors' capital remains protected while at the same time giving them "handsome" returns, said Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ismee Ismail.

He told Bernama in an interview recently that LTH would ensure that any investment made would bear fruit for them and their depositors at the end of the day.

"Last year, we declared six per cent dividend (and) hopefully, this year, we should be able to maintain our performance. We are working very hard to ensure that Tabung Haji depositors' money, the capital, is protected and for them to get a decent return
for their savings," he said.

As of February 2012, there were 6.9 million depositors in Tabung Haji.

The higher returns on investment have allowed LTH to continue to absorb some of the pilgrimage cost for Malaysians that continues to rise every year due to different external factors, Ismee said.

"Alhamdulillah, in the past few years, we have been subsidising haj pilgrims. We have been able to do it because of the good returns from our investments," he said.

This year, he said, the subsidy per person has risen to RM5,175 from RM4,320 last year due to the rise in accommodation, transportation and related costs, yet LTH depositors on their first pilgrimage are charged RM9,980 for the haj package, a rate that has not changed since 2009.

"In the haj training course, we always inform them: if you are a first-timer and going under muassasah (normal package service), this is how much Tabung Haji supports. In a way, our higher returns on investments directly benefit intending haj pilgrims," he said.

He said the fund board's real estate investments in Mecca are also a long-term strategy to reduce pilgrimage cost as it can use the returns on investments as cross subsidy.

On the RM3 billion proposed sale of its 95 per cent stake in PT TH Indo Plantations, Ismee said the buyer has been given until the end of August to complete the due diligence process.

"Of course, with the sale, this is going to be an exceptional item for the year and of course, we will be making a handsome profit from this transaction.

We are going to declare as dividends to depositors, (definitely) it will translate to higher dividends," he said.

LTH first bought the stake in 1997 for between RM800 million to RM1 billion. The Indonesian unit has 83,879 hectares of plantation land in Riau, Sumatra, out of LTH's total landbank of 210,000 hectares.

Through the proceeds, LTH is planning to increase its interest in
plantations and is looking at Malaysia and Indonesia for possible new investments.

"Th plantation sector is one of LTH's main areas of continued involvement. From here we will look at opportunities to re-invest in new areas offering better returns," he said.

"Increasing the landbank will be done over the next few years. We will continue to look at Malaysia and Indonesia because we are here to stay in the plantation sector.

"We have the know-how, the expertise and the team. We should just expand on this experience, for us to be a bigger player in the future," Ismee said, adding that LTH's unit, TH Plantations Bhd, will be the flagship in the plantation sector.

The pilgrimage fund also has another six wholly-owned subsidiaries in the plantation sector -- TH Agro Sdn Bhd, TH Bakti Sdn Bhd, TH Estates (Holding) Sdn Bhd, TH Indo Industries Sdn Bhd and TH Ladang (Sabah & Sarawak) Sdn Bhd. -- BERNAMA

Tabung Haji dijangka agih dividen tinggi tahun ini

KUALA LUMPUR 12 Julai - Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) dijangka dapat mengagihkan dividen tinggi tahun ini kepada pendepositnya susulan pulangan menarik daripada pelaburan ditambah dengan hasil daripada penjualan pegangannya dalam syarikat perladangan di Indonesia.

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2012&dt=0712&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Ekonomi&pg=ek_03.htm
Published: July 12, 2012

Ini mencerminkan usaha keras lembaga tabung haji untuk memastikan modal pendeposit terus dilindungi dan dalam masa yang sama memberikan pulangan berbaloi dengan mereka, kata Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya Datuk Ismee Ismail.

Beliau memberitahu Bernama dalam satu temu bual baru-baru ini bahawa LTH akan memastikan semua pelaburan yang dibuat akan membuahkan hasil bagi mereka dan pendeposit mereka pada penghujung harinya kelak.

"Tahun lepas, kami mengisytiharkan dividen enam peratus (dan) harapnya, tahun ini, kami boleh mengekalkan prestasi kami. Kami berusaha keras untuk memastikan wang pendeposit Tabung Haji, modal, dilindungi dan memastikan mereka mendapat pulangan yang baik bagi simpanan mereka," katanya.

Pada Februari 2012, terdapat seramai 6.9 juta pendeposit dalam Tabung Haji.

Pulangan tinggi daripada pelaburan telah membolehkan LTH terus menyerap sebahagian daripada kos mengerjakan haji bagi rakyat Malaysia yang meningkat setiap tahun disebabkan faktor-faktor luar yang berbeza, kata Ismee.

"Alhamdulillah, dalam beberapa tahun lepas, kami telah memberikan subsidi kepada jemaah haji. Kami berupaya berbuat demikian disebabkan pulangan baik daripada pelaburan kami," katanya. - BERNAMA