Pertama Digital gets new major shareholder

Nik Norzrul expects its business concept to thrive

“I believe that the digital space particularly in Islamic finance is the future. I look forward to working with Pertama Digital in the digital space for Islamic finance.” Datuk Seri Dr Nik Norzrul Thani

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Nik Norzrul Thani, who is a director of several public companies has become a substantial shareholder of Pertama Digital Bhd, after acquiring 11.567% stake in the company.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Pertama Digital stated Nik Norzrul has acquired 50.12 million shares on Aug 30.

Nik Norzul explained that buying up shares in Pertama Digital was mainly due to its business concept that revolves around digitalisation of financial businesses which is key to the future.

“I believe that the digital space particularly in Islamic finance is the future. I look forward to working with Pertama Digital in the digital space for Islamic finance. My specialisation is in finance and I will leverage on my experience and contribute to the group,” he told Starbiz.

Pertama Digital invests in financial technology (fintech) and government technology companies.

The company has announced plans to start a neobank together with licensed Islamic banks to accelerate digital Islamic banking to promote socioeconomic mobility and financial inclusion in Malaysia.

Very recently, Standard Chartered Bank announced a neobank in Indonesia, launched in partnership with Bukalapak, one of the country’s largest ecommerce platforms.

Nik Norzrul is a director of several listed companies including Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd, Cagamas Holdings Bhd and MUFG Bank (M) Bhd.

He is also the chairman of Malaysian Rating Corp Bhd and T7 Global Bhd. Norzrul is also the non-independent non-executive director of Sime Darby Plantation Bhd as well as the chairman and senior partner of Zaid Ibrahim & Co.

Last week, the group announced that the former chief justice Tun Zaki Azmi emerged as a major shareholder after buying 11.53% stake via the acquisition of 50 million shares by his vehicle Mypay Capital Sdn Bhd for Rm25mil.

Furthermore, Zaki’s wife Nik Sazlina Mohd Zain also upped her stake to 1.154% from 1.12% previously, after buying five million shares worth Rm2.5mil.

Currently, the couple have an indirect interst of 13.81% in Pertama Digital.

The blocks of shares acquired by Zaki and Nik Norzrul were from Gifted Investment Ltd which now ceases to be a shareholder the company.

Yesterday, Pertama’s share price closed six sen higher at RM1.42, which is a 12-year high for the counter. Pertama Digital shares were trading at the 50-sen range a year ago and its share price has rallied despite the disappointment of not being successful with its bid to gain a digital bank licence from Bank Negara.

The group posted a net loss of RM24,000 on a revenue of Rm1.21mil for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.