Most EPF investments are low-risk, says Lim

TWO-THIRDS of the Employees Provident Fund’s (EPF) investments are in low-risk, fixed income facilities, said Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai.

He said the rest were invested in equities, which had higher risk and returns.

“As of Dec 31, 2011, EPF made total investments of Rm469.2bil, of which 26.6% or Rm124.6bil were in government securities,” he said in his reply to William Leong Jee Keen (Pkr-selayang).

Lim said 34.2% or Rm160.7bil was invested in loans and bonds and 35.6% in equities.

Lim also said Pakatan Rakyat’s plan to use EPF funds to abolish toll charges as stated in its Buku Jingga was not a good idea and that people should choose a government which ensured their finances were secure.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam (Bn-segamat) said 817 out of 6,365 kidney patients received aid for dialysis from Socso and continued working for their employers.

Meanwhile, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said Khazanah’s decision to sell its stake in Proton Holdings Bhd was due to the good bid by Drbhicom.

He also told Saifuddin Nasution (Pkr-machang) during question time that Khazanah did not incur any losses by selling at the highest bidding price of RM5.50 per share to Drbhicom.

Mustapa said Khazanah had wanted to sell off its shares in Proton as it was not making much profits for the company.