Do we need ASB2?

Jagdev Singh Sidhu

NEWS that a second Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB2) will be launched will likely appeal to people who have maximised their accounts with the original version of the fund launched in 1990. They will surely consider investing their savings in the new incarnation of the fund but the situation today is vastly different than when the ASB fund was first launched.

For one, potential investors will wait to see if the fund will be capital-guaranteed. Secondly, they will also be comparing the returns ASB2 will be able to deliver and it will be challenging for Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) to manage the expectations of investors. Those used to high returns from their first ASB fund will keep an eye out on the timing of the launch.