He said most experts had predicted that the dividend would not exceed 5% due to the current challenging and uncertain economic conditions.

The EPF declared a 6.15% dividend for conventional savings with a payout amounting to RM43 billion and 5.9% dividend for shariah savings with a payout amounting to RM4.32 billion for 2018.

In total, the payout amounts to RM47.31 billion, a marginal decrease of 1.7% from 2017.

“I feel that this is an exemplary performance, beyond the expectations of all parties.

“Experts had predicted that the dividend rate will not reach 6%, to reach even 5% would be difficult. As such, this announcement is beyond expectations.

“Against a sluggish economic backdrop because of the conflict between the United States and China, Malaysia can be considered as one of the best-performing economies.

“But, we have to be cautious for the country’s sustainable economic growth to continue,” he told reporters here today after attending a Chinese New Year celebration organised by the Penang Customs Department.

Commenting on former prime minister Najib Razak’s criticism that the dividend announced did not recognise any impairment on EPF’s equity stake in 2018 in contrast to previous years, Lim said the calculation of the dividend rate was done by professionals.

“Everything Najib looks at (these days) is not right, but now that the EPF has made such an announcement, he is questioning it.

“But now, he seems to agree that this (dividend rate) exceeds expectations, so thank you,” he said, adding that Najib should not question the professionalism of the EPF chief executive.