Private equity firm Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas) has distributed RM350 million in dividends to its parent Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) following its full exit from petroleum tanker operator Orkim Bhd.
Ekuinas said the payout is part of the RM828 million in gross proceeds it generated from the sale of Orkim shares during its IPO and the subsequent transfer of its remaining 60% stake post-listing to PNB for long-term management. The dividend is intended to benefit PNB unit trust holders.
Ekuinas originally acquired Orkim in 2014 for RM346.3 million and developed it into Malaysia’s leading Malaysian-flagged tanker operator with over 50% market share.
Orkim was listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia on Dec 9 last year at 92 sen per share. Ekuinas sold 300 million shares in the IPO through its investment vehicle Tetap Kuasa Sdn Bhd, raising RM276 million. The remaining stake was later transferred to PNB and Amanah Saham Bumiputera as part of its exit strategy.
Ekuinas described the process as its first “Bumiputera relay race” milestone, marking a structured handover of assets to long-term institutional owners.
Established in 2009, Ekuinas is mandated to support Bumiputera wealth creation and participation in the economy. It was previously under Yayasan Pelaburan Bumiputera before being placed under PNB in July 2025.
Beyond Orkim, the firm also completed a divestment in Medispec Sdn Bhd and invested in Bluesify Solutions, reflecting its shift toward sectors such as cybersecurity and digital services.
As of end-2025, Ekuinas reported a portfolio of 49 companies, with cumulative Bumiputera equity creation of RM7.1 billion and total shareholder value creation of RM8.5 billion.
Healthcare now makes up 29% of its active portfolio, up from 24% a year earlier, as the group reduces exposure to the energy sector. Bumiputera participation in management across its portfolio companies also rose to 36.9%.
Ekuinas also said its RM800 million private credit business completed its first two transactions in 2025, offering shariah-compliant financing solutions for mid-market companies.
Chief executive officer Aliff Omar said the private credit segment provides more structured financing options while creating a pipeline for future equity investments.
The firm also introduced a capacity-building programme targeting Bumiputera companies, with Kopi Hang Tuah selected as its first participant, focusing on governance, leadership and operational improvement.
