The government today said it will issue another tranche of Merdeka (Independence) savings bonds, worth RM500 million, with a five percent annual return.

The central bank in a statement said that the upcoming tranche would be the third of eight quarterly issues between 2004 and 2005 based on Islamic principles.

The bonds are targeted at senior citizens aged 55 years and above, retired Malaysian armed forces personnel and citizens who have retired on medical grounds. The earlier tranches were well received. - AFP