Khazanah Nasional Bhd is seeking further clarification from the government and other respective parties in respect of its mandate and investments.

“This is with a view towards clarifying, reaffirming and implementing our mandate as the strategic investment fund of the government of Malaysia.

“Towards this end, we will provide further updates in due course, as appropriate,” the country’s sovereign wealth fund said in a statement today in response to various news reports and queries regarding Khazanah Nasional.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Khazanah should go back to one of its core purpose of helping the bumiputera.

He said the fund was initially formed to buy shares allocated to bumiputera who would normally buy shares and sell them to others immediately.

“So to stop them from doing that, we created Khazanah. But now Khazanah seems to be taking up all shares on their own, whether it was meant for bumiputera or not.

“So, maybe they should go back to their original purpose,” he told reporters today after Pakatan Harapan's presidential council meeting in Putrajaya which was telecast live.

Incorporated on Sept 3, 1993, Khazanah was mandated to manage commercial assets owned by the Federal government, as well as, design strategic investments that would contribute to nation building.

In 2004, the company undertook an expanded and more active investment approach which included enhancing the performance of its existing core holdings while seeking opportunities in new economic sectors and geographies. - Bernama