Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) will continue to improve its syariah compliance in its investments and enhancement of Islamic financial investment instruments to help the people to increase their investments.

PNB Group chairman Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, in a statement today, said he hoped that the Muslim community would continue to increase their investments in the various unit trusts managed by PNB.

He said investment by the Muslim community in Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) and Amanah Saham Nasional (ASN) was syariah-compliant.

At a meeting held last Aug 14-15, the Penang Fatwa Committee issued an edict that the Muslims community could and is allowed to invest in ASB and ASN, in tandem with an edict by the National Fatwa Council on the matter which was issued in 2008.

The Selangor Fatwa Council also issued the same ruling last April.

"This means investments ASB/ASN investments are permitted in Islam. With this latest development, I hope the Muslim community will continue to increase their investments in the various unit trust funds managed by PNB/ASNB," he said.

In conjunction with the Maal Hijrah 1439H/2017M celebration, Abdul Wahid said Muslims should have a positive attitude and to focus on unity the society in efforts to develop the country.

The people, he said, should carry out their responsibilities efficiently, with integrity, humility, respect for others and avoid slandering others and disseminating information with first verifying it.

-- BERNAMA