In PNB we trust

Professor Nicholas J. White (left), author of the book In Trust: A History of PNB published in conjunction with PNB’s 40th anniversary. With him is PNB Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communication Division, Aziz Anuar. — AZMAN GHANI / The Star

THE exhilaration of the September 1981 “Guthrie Dawn Raid” is a vivid reminder of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) in its infancy – how PNB swooped in on the London Stock Exchange at lightning speed to acquire the biggest British-owned plantation group, Guthrie Corporation Limited, within four hours.

But it is not that one event that characterises the government-linked investment company. Rather it is a series of choices made over the years to balance the company’s commercial and social responsibilities that defines PNB.