
Kenanga Investors Recognised At The Global Islamic LSEG Lipper Fund Awards 2025 For Shariah-Compliant Excellence
Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kenanga Investors Berhad
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 June 2025 - Kenanga Investors Berhad ("") has received international recognition for the Kenanga SyariahEXTRA Fund ("") which was awarded under the Mixed Asset MYR Balanced 10 Years category at the. The KSEF recently won the Best Mixed Asset MYR Balanced – Malaysia Islamic Funds Awards Over 10 Years title at the. This recognition further affirms Kenanga Investors' standing as a leading global asset and wealth management firm.Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer said, "We are pleased that the Kenanga SyariahEXTRA Fund has received its second Lipper recognition in a year for its impressive performance. Shariah-compliant funds have seen increased interest, partly due to inclination toward defensive sectors like healthcare, telecommunications, and utilities, which tend to be more resilient during market downturns, making them attractive to both Muslim and non-Muslim investors seeking resilience amid market uncertainty. The Fund exemplifies our commitment to investing for good, blending Shariah principles with the benefits of impact investing. By focusing on sectors that align with both ethical values and long-term sustainability, we strive to deliver strong returns for our investors while contributing to meaningful, positive outcomes.As at 31st March 2025, the KSEF delivered returns of 46.30%* (5-years), 62.85%* (10-years), 220.02%* (since inception). Launched in 1996, KSEF aims to provide investors with medium to long-term capital appreciation through investments in specified asset classes by adopting a balanced approach towards equities and fixed income exposure based on Shariah principles.Lee Sook Yee, the Chief Investment Officer of Kenanga Investors explained, "The KSEF's outperformance is mainly attributed to Shariah-compliant stock, sukuk selection and asset allocation. The team continued the strategy of identifying key sectors or groups of Shariah-compliant securities that we believe would perform well under an anticipated economic condition. Individual Shariah-compliant securities selection will then focus on well-managed, financially sound companies with attractive relative valuations and a potential for high earnings growth over the medium to long term time frame. We believe in staying consistent with our investment philosophy so that we may manage our portfolios effectively to capitalise on market opportunities, even with volatility".The firm recently saw its innovative efforts within the Shariah investing landscape recognised at thewhich awarded its exchange-traded funds' arm, Eq8 Capital Sdn Bhd with the Special Award – Thought Leadership for launching Eq8 FTSE Malaysia Enhanced Dividend Waqf ETF, the world's first Waqf-featured Exchange Traded Fund. The Waqf ETF aims to distribute income annually with half of the income distribution to be allocated as Waqf assets with the remaining half payable to unitholders.The Global Islamic LSEG Lipper Fund Awards celebrate funds and fund management firms that have delivered consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to peers.For more information about Kenanga Investors, please visit www.kenangainvestors.com.my *Source: Lipper Investment Analytics, 31 March 2025.Hashtag: #Kenanga
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Kenanga Investors Berhad 199501024358 (353563-P)
We provide investment solutions ranging from collective investment schemes, portfolio management services, alternative investments, as well as wills and trusts for retail, corporate, institutional, and high net worth clients via a multi-distribution network.
The Morningstar Award 2025 has recognised the Kenanga Blue Chip Fund as Best Malaysia Large-Cap Equity Fund. The Bursa Excellence Awards 2024 awarded KIB's exchange-traded funds' arm, Eq8 Capital Sdn Bhd with the Special Award – Thought Leadership for launching Eq8WAQF, the world's first Waqf-featured Exchange Traded Fund. Introduced under a newly established category, the award highlights innovations that are reshaping the investment landscape.
At the LSEG Lipper Fund Awards Malaysia 2025, KIB received awards for the Kenanga DividendEXTRA Fund ("KDEF") under the Best Equity Malaysia Diversified – Malaysia Funds over 3 years, Kenanga Malaysian Inc Fund ("KMIF") under the Best Equity Malaysia Diversified – Malaysia Provident Funds over 10 years, Kenanga Balanced Fund ("KBF") under the Best Mixed Asset MYR Balanced – Malaysia Provident Funds over 10 years, Kenanga Managed Growth Fund ("KMGF") under Best Mixed Asset MYR Flexible – Malaysia Provident Funds over 10 years, and Kenanga SyariahEXTRA Fund ("KSEF") under the Best Mixed Asset MYR Balanced – Malaysia Islamic Funds Awards over 10 years.
The Hong Kong-based Asia Asset Management's 2025 Best of the Best Awards awarded KIG under the following categories, Malaysia Best Impact Investing Manager, Best Impact Investing Manager in ASEAN, Malaysia Best Equity Manager, Malaysia CEO of the Year (Co-Winner), Malaysia CIO of the Year, Malaysia Best House for Alternatives, Malaysia Best ESG Engagement Initiative, Malaysia Fund Launch of the Year, and Malaysia Best Retail Asset Management Company.
The FSMOne Recommended Unit Trusts Awards 2024/2025 has awarded the Kenanga Growth Fund Series 2 with the "Sector Equity – Malaysia Focused" award for the third consecutive year since 2022. We were also recognised at The BrandLaureate BestBrands Awards 2024 - Brand of the Year under the category Wealth Management & Investment Solutions. For the eighth consecutive year, KIB was affirmed an investment manager rating of IMR-2 by Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad, since first rated in 2017. The IMR rating on KIB reflects the fund management company's well-established investment processes and sound risk management practices.
This Press Release was issued by Kenanga Group's Marketing, Communications & Sustainability department.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
EAIC finds weaknesses in customs declaration process
The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission recommended improvements for the customs department to enhance oversight and ensure stricter compliance with the Customs Standing Orders. (Facebook pic) PUTRAJAYA : The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has identified weaknesses in the approval process for customs declaration forms to clear imported goods. In a statement today, the EAIC said its investigation also found that some importers and customs agents had made declarations without adhering to the provisions in the Customs Standing Orders. 'The EAIC received complaints against the customs department, alleging a failure to revoke the licences of importers and agents who violated the Customs Standing Orders. Investigations were conducted under Subsection 27(4) of the EAIC Act 2009,' the statement said. As a result, the EAIC has recommended improvements for the customs department to enhance oversight and ensure stricter compliance with the Customs Standing Orders by importers and customs agents. The commission also urged the customs department to take firm action against any party found to be in breach of these regulations.


Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
View revised SST in broader fiscal context, tax expert tells M'sians
Basic necessities will continue to be exempted from sales tax, but a 5-10% rate will be imposed on non-essential items. KUALA LUMPUR : The revision of sales tax rates and the expansion of the service tax scope form part of targeted fiscal measures to keep the nation's finances on a sustainable path, say tax experts. PwC Malaysia tax leader Steve Chia said the review of the sales and service tax (SST) was expected, having been announced in the 2025 budget last October, and urged the public to view it in a broader fiscal context. 'While it is aimed at supporting the medium-term fiscal goals, a search for a longer-term solution remains necessary to ensure sustainable revenue contributions for the country. 'Although the current expansion is relatively broader, the government is committed to containing the scope to selected and non-essential goods and business-to-business (B2B) services to ensure the rakyat will not be burdened,' he told Bernama. Finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan had announced that the government would implement the revised SST from July 1 to strengthen the country's fiscal position and improve support for public welfare. Chia said a key challenge would be ensuring cascading costs are either eliminated or not passed along the value chain. 'Since the budget was announced, the government has made efforts to engage the relevant stakeholders, including industry associations and tax professionals, to ensure the revisions are well-informed and the impact on industries are taken into consideration. 'Therefore, the change is aimed at strengthening Malaysia's fiscal position by increasing revenue and broadening the tax base. 'We can see that the government is careful in identifying areas for rate increases and scope expansion to protect and cushion the impact on the rakyat at large.' KPMG Malaysia's head of tax Soh Lian Seng however said the current SST framework is often viewed as less comprehensive than the previous goods and services tax (GST) scheme. 'This revision appears to be an effort to make the tax structure more progressive, broadening the base while ensuring the burden does not disproportionately fall on the rakyat. 'Expanding the scope of taxable services and revising rates can help improve revenue collection, which is essential for Malaysia's medium-term fiscal consolidation,' he said. Soh said the government is likely aiming to enhance fairness and efficiency in tax collection by refining the scope and structure of the SST. Soh said there may be a short-term spike in consumer spending as people rush to make purchases before the new rates take effect, similar to what was observed in 2015 ahead of the GST's implementation. 'However, this is likely to normalise within the next few months. In regard to concerns about inflation, the impact should be modest. 'While there are exemptions and reliefs in place to cushion the impact, the net effect should still contribute positively to government coffers, supporting broader fiscal sustainability,' he added.


Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Samenta calls for higher SST threshold to help SMEs
Samenta said many small businesses are already struggling with high costs, weaker customer spending and uncertainty in export markets. PETALING JAYA : The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) has called on the government to raise the sales and services tax (SST) threshold or exempt micro and small enterprises to protect them from financial pressure when the The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) has called on the government to raise the sales and services tax (SST) threshold or exempt micro and small enterprises to protect them from financial pressure when the revised tax starts on July 1. Samenta chairman William Ng said the current threshold of RM500,000 in annual turnover should be raised to RM2 million so that only medium and larger businesses are affected. He said that many small businesses are still dealing with high operating costs, weakening consumer demand and uncertainty in export markets — conditions that could get worse after the halt in US tariffs ends on July 8. 'Against this backdrop, revising the SST without sufficient exemptions or a higher threshold for SMEs risks compounding the cost burden on businesses that are least equipped to absorb it,' he said in a statement today. William Ng. 'This impact is not limited to raw material costs but extends to rent and business-to-business services that will now fall under the SST's expanded scope. 'These increases will almost certainly be passed on to consumers, further driving up the cost of living.' Ng also urged the customs department to immediately issue sector-specific guidelines to help SMEs determine their tax obligations under the expanded scope. 'Without clarity, many SMEs risk falling into unintentional non-compliance, despite the enforcement grace period until the end of 2025,' he said. He also asked for clarification on whether the tax should be applied based on when invoices are issued or when payments are received, especially for invoices sent before July 1. While supporting the idea of a fair and progressive tax system, Ng also criticised the lack of meaningful consultation with stakeholders. 'While we were given a briefing on the expanded SST, they cannot consider this a consultation when it is presented as 'fait accompli',' he said.