1.53 billion units of shares made available for Amanah Saham Zulu

KUALA LUMPUR: The government, through the Defence Ministry, has allocated 1.53 billion units of shares for the special investment scheme, Amanah Saham Zulu, for the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) personnel and veterans at RM1 per unit.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said one billion units of the shares were allocated to ATM personnel.

A total of 500 million units were meant for Bumiputera ATM veterans, to be distributed as Amanah Saham Bumiputera Zulu (ASB-Z) category, while the remaining 30 million units of the shares would be distributed as Amanah Saham 1Malaysia Zulu (AS1M-Z) category to non-Bumiputera ATM personnel and veterans.

The minister said this at the meet-and-greet event with Division 4 members in conjunction with the “Jelajah Perkasa Perwira” programme at the Wardieburn Camp in Setapak here yesterday.

Hishammuddin, who is also Minister with Special Functions, said the special investment scheme, which was introduced with the cooperation from Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) dan Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad (BMMB), was part of the government’s initiatives to ensure the well being of ATM personnel and veterans.

He said the scheme was implemented under the Defence Ministry Welfare Thrust to inculcate the culture of investing among ATM personnel and veterans, besides improving their socio-economic status.

“In fact, in order to ensure that the special investment scheme will benefit as many ATM personnel and veterans as possible, PNB is prepared to increase the number of units to meet current demands and overwhelming response,” he said.

In another development, Hishammuddin said the Anti-Fake News Bill 2018, which provides fine of up to RM500,000 or imprisonment for a term of up to 10 years, or both, upon conviction, was deemed a commensurate punishment for the adverse affect caused by the spread of fake news.

He said the spread of such news, especially relating to security, religion and racism, could be detrimental to public order and national security.

“It is hoped that the punishment could be a deterrent for the public from spreading fake news,” he said.

The bill was tabled for the first reading at the Dewan Rakyat by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said on Monday. - Bernama