SGX trying to locate owners of unclaimed assets

We reassure Ms Lee Chay Buay ("Remind investors about unclaimed dividends"; Forum Online, Wednesday) and all investors that the Singapore Exchange (SGX) regularly contacts investors about their unclaimed assets.

Some 99.9 per cent of dividends are successfully received and deposited by investors every year. We have also managed to contact 97 per cent of 445,000 SingTel shareholders who did not have Central Depository (CDP) accounts when the initial public offering was launched.

For the remaining 0.1 per cent of dividend owners and 3 per cent of SingTel shareholders, we have been unable to reach them through e-mail, phone or letters based on their contact details maintained with us.

The current exercise to locate these missing investors is on top of our ongoing effort. With the media's support, we hope to reach not only investors we have been unable to contact, but also concerned friends and families who can help.

Ms Lee's appeal gives us confidence that the message is spreading and we thank her for her suggestions.

Investors with unclaimed assets will see in this month's CDP statement a message to contact the SGX.

In addition, we actively encourage all investors to sign up for direct credit service, so we can automatically deposit any unclaimed and future dividends directly into their bank accounts instead of sending cheques.

Investors, including senior citizens or related persons, can inquire if they have unclaimed dividends or shares by checking online at www.sgx.com/mygateway, calling our hotline on 6589-8039, or visiting us at CDP at 4 Shenton Way #02-01, SGX Centre 2, Singapore 068807 (8.30am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 12.30pm on Saturdays).

Lynn Gaspar (Ms)
Head of Retail Investors Singapore Exchange

Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.