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⚡ Quick Answer
The best unit trusts in Malaysia for 2026 are Maybank’s Islamic Money Market Fund for capital preservation, Public Mutual’s PB Growth Fund for long-term equity growth, and ASNB’s ASM 3 Didik for fixed-price stability. If you want to invest automatically with lower fees, platforms like StashAway give you globally diversified exposure without picking funds manually.
What Is a Unit Trust?
A unit trust (also called a mutual fund) pools money from many investors and uses it to buy a basket of assets — stocks, bonds, money market instruments, or a mix. A professional fund manager makes the buy/sell decisions on your behalf.
In Malaysia, unit trusts are regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and must be registered under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. This gives retail investors a layer of protection that buying individual stocks does not.
Key things to understand before you invest:
- NAV (Net Asset Value) — the price per unit. You buy and sell at NAV, not on an exchange.
- Sales charge — a front-end fee charged when you buy units, typically 0–5.5%.
- Annual management fee — ongoing fee deducted from the fund, usually 0.5–1.8% per year.
- Distribution — some funds pay out income (dividends/interest); others reinvest it.
Types of Unit Trusts in Malaysia
Before picking a fund, know which category fits your goal:
| Type | What It Invests In | Risk Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity Fund | Stocks (local or global) | High | Long-term growth (5+ years) |
| Bond / Fixed Income Fund | Government & corporate bonds | Low–Medium | Stable income, capital preservation |
| Money Market Fund | Short-term deposits, T-bills | Very Low | Parking cash, emergency fund |
| Balanced Fund | Mix of stocks + bonds | Medium | Moderate growth with less volatility |
| Islamic Fund | Shariah-compliant assets | Varies | Muslim investors, ethical investing |
| Index Fund | Tracks an index (FBMKLCI, S&P 500) | Medium–High | Low-cost passive investing |
Best Unit Trusts in Malaysia 2026: Our Top Picks
1. Public Mutual PB Growth Fund — Best for Long-Term Equity Growth
Public Mutual is Malaysia’s largest private unit trust company, and the PB Growth Fund is one of its flagship equity products. It invests primarily in Malaysian equities with selective regional exposure.
- 5-year return: ~8–11% annualised (varies by year)
- Sales charge: Up to 5.5% (negotiable via agents or EPF i-Invest)
- Annual fee: ~1.5%
- Minimum investment: RM1,000 initial, RM100 top-up
- Suitable for: Investors with a 5–10 year horizon who want local market exposure
2. Maybank Islamic Money Market Fund — Best for Capital Preservation
If you want somewhere to park cash that earns more than a savings account but carries near-zero risk, this is it. The fund invests in Shariah-compliant money market instruments and is available to all Malaysians via Maybank2u.
- Annualised return: ~3.0–3.5% (tracks OPR closely)
- Sales charge: 0%
- Annual fee: ~0.35%
- Minimum investment: RM1,000
- Suitable for: Emergency fund overflow, short-term cash parking
3. ASNB ASM 3 Didik — Best Fixed-Price Fund
Amanah Saham Malaysia 3 Didik is a fixed-price fund (RM1.00 per unit) open to all Malaysians. It pays an annual distribution and is considered very low risk because the NAV does not fluctuate.
- Price per unit: RM1.00 (fixed)
- Historical distribution: ~4–5% per year
- Sales charge: 0%
- Annual fee: ~0.5%
- Suitable for: All Malaysians wanting safe, government-linked returns
Note: ASB (Amanah Saham Bumiputera) is restricted to Bumiputera investors. ASM 3 Didik and ASM 2 Wawasan are open to all.
4. RHB Big Cap China Enterprise Fund — Best for China/Asia Exposure
For investors who want to add China or broader Asian equity exposure, this RHB fund focuses on large-cap Chinese companies listed on Hong Kong and mainland exchanges.
- 5-year return: Volatile — has seen -15% to +30% in individual years
- Sales charge: Up to 5%
- Annual fee: ~1.8%
- Minimum investment: RM1,000
- Suitable for: Higher-risk investors who want China diversification
5. Principal Islamic Lifetime Balanced Fund — Best Balanced Option
A 50/50 equity-bond split in a Shariah-compliant wrapper. Suitable for investors who want some growth but can’t stomach a pure equity fund’s swings.
- 3-year return: ~5–7% annualised
- Sales charge: Up to 5%
- Annual fee: ~1.4%
- Minimum investment: RM1,000
- Suitable for: Medium-risk investors, 3–7 year horizon
How to Buy Unit Trusts in Malaysia
You have three main options:
1. ASNB / MyASNB App
For ASNB funds only. Download the MyASNB app, link your bank account, and invest directly. Zero sales charge, instant processing.
2. EPF i-Invest (Members Investment Scheme)
If you have EPF savings above the basic savings threshold in Account 1, you can transfer funds into approved unit trusts. Sales charges through i-Invest are capped at 0.5% — much lower than buying direct.
3. Fundsupermart or FSMOne
An online fund marketplace where you can compare and buy from multiple fund houses. Sales charges are often discounted, and you can hold everything in one dashboard.
4. Robo-Advisors (StashAway, Wahed, MyTHEO)
If picking individual funds feels overwhelming, robo-advisors do it for you. StashAway invests in globally diversified ETFs with no sales charge, fees from 0.2–0.8% per year, and automatic rebalancing. Start from as little as RM1. (Use our link — we both get up to RM30,000 managed free for 6 months.)
Unit Trust vs ETF vs Robo-Advisor: Which Should You Use?
| Feature | Unit Trust | ETF | Robo-Advisor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | RM100–RM1,000 | 1 lot (~RM100+) | RM1 |
| Sales charge | 0–5.5% | Brokerage fee (~0.1%) | 0% |
| Annual fee | 0.5–1.8% | 0.05–0.5% | 0.2–0.8% |
| Diversification | Medium | High (index) | High (global) |
| Effort required | Medium | Medium | Very low |
| Shariah option | Yes | Yes (limited) | Yes (Wahed) |
For most beginners, robo-advisors or ASNB fixed-price funds are the easiest starting point. Once you understand how markets work, you can migrate to ETFs or actively managed equity funds.
Things to Watch Out For
- High sales charges: A 5.5% upfront fee means you need a 5.5% return just to break even. Always look for platforms with 0–0.5% charges.
- Past returns aren’t guaranteed: A fund that returned 15% last year may return -5% this year. Look at 5-year and 10-year track records.
- Don’t chase the top performer: Last year’s top fund is often this year’s disappointment due to mean reversion.
- Annual management fees compound: A 1.8% fee vs a 0.5% fee over 20 years makes a massive difference to your end balance.
Our Recommendation
For beginners with a small amount to invest, start with ASNB’s ASM 3 Didik (zero fees, stable returns) or a money market fund while you learn. Once you’re comfortable, move into a balanced or equity fund with a 5+ year horizon.
If you’d rather not pick funds yourself, StashAway is our top robo-advisor pick — low fees, globally diversified, and available to anyone with a Malaysian bank account. Use our referral link to get up to RM30,000 managed free for 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is unit trust safe in Malaysia?
Unit trusts regulated by the SC are legally required to keep investor assets separate from the fund manager’s assets. You won’t lose your money if the fund house goes bust, though your investment value can still go up or down with the market.
What is the minimum amount to invest in unit trust Malaysia?
Most funds require a RM1,000 initial investment with RM100 top-ups. ASNB funds start from RM10. Robo-advisors like StashAway start from just RM1.
Can I use EPF to buy unit trust?
Yes — via the EPF Members Investment Scheme (i-Invest). You can withdraw from Account 1 (above the basic savings threshold) to invest in approved unit trust funds. The sales charge is capped at 0.5%.
Are unit trust returns taxable in Malaysia?
Distribution income from unit trusts is tax-exempt in the hands of Malaysian individual investors. Capital gains from unit trust redemptions are also not subject to income tax for individuals.
Unit trust vs fixed deposit — which is better?
FDs offer guaranteed returns (currently ~3–3.6% for 12 months) with zero risk to capital. Unit trusts offer potentially higher returns but with market risk. For money you need within 1 year, FD wins. For 5+ years, a diversified equity fund will likely outperform.
