KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- A total of 145 companies limited by shares (CLBS) had made a total dividend payment of RM77.735 billion to shareholders in 2023.
Shareholders include the federal government through the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MKD), federal statutory bodies or parent companies that have a controlling interest in subsidiary companies under them.
According to the Auditor General's Report (LKAN) 1/2026 tabled in parliament today, the number increased from 134 federal government companies (23.3 per cent) with total dividends paid to shareholders amounting to RM82.221 billion in 2022.
“A total of 15 (11.2 per cent) and 16 (11 per cent) companies had paid dividends directly to the federal government amounting to RM50.777 billion in 2022 and RM43.279 billion in 2023 respectively,” it said.
The report said the bulk of the dividends to the federal government was contributed by Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) amounting to RM40 billion (92.4 per cent) in 2023, compared to RM50 billion (98.5 per cent) in 2022.
Apart from cash dividend payments, two companies PLUS Malaysia Bhd and UEM Group Bhd, made payments in the form of sukuk issuances worth RM2.045 billion in 2022 and RM1.771 billion in 2023.
Meanwhile, the report said 13 MKD companies including subsidiaries did not pay dividends despite recording profits in 2022 and 2023, recording accumulated profits in 2023 and current solvency ratios at a rate equal to or greater than one for 2023.
“In addition, there are 17 non-MKD companies that did not pay dividends despite recording profits in 2022 and 2023 and current solvency ratios at a rate equal to or greater than one for 2023.
“The determination of dividend payments for these 17 companies is only decided at the company director level as provided for under Act 777 since there is no resolution or instruction or dividend payment policy set by the regulating ministry,” it said.
-- BERNAMA
