Principal Asset Management Review - Halal Finance Products
Reviewed quarterly and updated for major content changes.
Principal Asset Management offers halal financial products and services designed to align with Islamic principles. These options provide alternatives to conventional interest-based financial products, using structures like Murabaha, Ijara, and Musharakah.
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HalalWallet 2026 Review
Principal Asset Management - At a Glance
3
Products Reviewed
All
Provinces (Nationwide)
1
Category
Pros & Cons
What We Like
- Best documented long-run active performance among flagship Islamic equity funds
- Full Islamic product ladder: cash, sukuk, equity, retirement target-date
- Dedicated Islamic subsidiary (Principal Islamic Asset Management)
- CIMB distribution plus Touch 'n Go eWallet investing channel
What Could Be Better
- Application fee up to 6.50% on DALI, the highest cap we recorded
- RM10,000 money market minimum shuts out small savers
- Minimum investment amounts live in the prospectus, not fund pages
Who Is Principal Asset Management Best For?
Performance-focused halal equity investors
DALI's 27-year record against a published Shariah benchmark
Hands-off retirement savers
Islamic PRS Plus target-date funds that de-risk automatically toward the chosen decade
Conservative allocators
Sukuk fund plus Islamic money market with an all-Islamic benchmark chain
Detailed Analysis
Principal Malaysia carries the DALI franchise, the most storied brand in Malaysian Islamic equity investing. The flagship DALI Equity Growth Fund launched 7 May 1998 and its own fund page shows 562% since inception against 186% for the FTSE Bursa Malaysia EMAS Shariah benchmark as at 30 June 2026, the strongest documented outperformance we found in this market (crawled 2026-08-07).
The Islamic range is a complete ladder: Islamic Money Market Fund (2008, no application fee, RM10,000 minimum), Islamic Enhanced Sukuk Fund (2005, mostly sukuk with a 15% Shariah equity sleeve), DALI equity funds, and the Islamic PRS Plus retirement scheme with target-date RetireEasy funds out to 2060. Benchmarks are consistently Islamic (CIMB Islamic FRIA-i deposit rates, FBM EMAS Shariah), keeping the compliance chain coherent.
Costs cut both ways: the sukuk and money market funds are reasonably priced, but DALI's application fee caps at 6.50%, so channel choice matters enormously. Amanie Advisors is named as Shariah adviser in the master prospectus, though fund pages themselves do not surface scholar names (prospectus reviewed 2026-08-06; fund pages crawled 2026-08-07).
How It Works
SC-regulated unit trust and PRS funds with Islamic mandates benchmarked to Islamic indices and deposit rates. Amanie Advisors named as Shariah adviser in the master prospectus; Principal Islamic Asset Management operates as the group's dedicated Islamic manager (reviewed 2026-08-06).
Choose a channel
Invest via Principal consultants, CIMB, online, or the Touch 'n Go eWallet integration for small amounts.
Pick the Islamic range
DALI equity funds, Islamic sukuk and money market funds, or Islamic PRS Plus for retirement.
Negotiate entry fees
Application fees are maximums; distribution channels discount them, and EPF i-Invest purchases are capped at 3%.
Shariah Compliance Review
Oversight Level
Review details on provider's website
Amanie Advisors Sdn Bhd named Shariah adviser in the master prospectus (reviewed 2026-08-06)
FTSE Bursa Malaysia EMAS Shariah Index benchmark on the equity flagship
Islamic deposit-rate benchmarks (CIMB Islamic FRIA-i) on cash and sukuk funds
Islamic PRS Plus under the SC PRS framework
Shariah compliance should always be verified directly with Principal Asset Management. HalalWallet reports publicly available oversight information but does not issue fatwas or certify compliance.
How It Compares
Principal versus Public Mutual is the central choice in Malaysian Islamic active funds: Principal has the stronger flagship record and target-date PRS automation, Public Mutual the bigger agent network and lower flagship entry cap (5.0% versus 6.50%). Against passive Eq8 ETFs, Principal's case is active alpha, which its own published numbers support better than any peer.
vs. Public Mutual
Bigger distribution and RM100 PRS entry, but no published performance story to match DALI.
vs. Eq8 Capital
Index exposure to the same screened universe at 0.40% for brokerage investors.
Amanie-advised active alternative with EPF i-Invest access.
Bottom Line
The performance house of Malaysian Islamic investing. Buy DALI through a discounted channel to blunt the 6.50% fee cap, and use the Islamic PRS Plus target-date funds if you want retirement de-risking handled for you.
Products from Principal Asset Management
Why It's Halal
The fund holds sukuk rather than conventional bonds, with a modest allocation to Shariah-compliant equities reflected in its composite Islamic benchmark of 85% CIMB Islamic 1-month FRIA-i and 15% FBM EMAS Shariah Index (fund page, crawled 2026-08-07). Amanie Advisors is named as Shariah adviser in the master prospectus (reviewed 2026-08-06). Sukuk income derives from profit-sharing, lease or trade structures rather than interest, which is the fundamental distinction from a conventional bond fund, and the enhanced overlay stays inside the screened equity universe.
Principal Asset Management
Principal Islamic Enhanced Sukuk Fund
Sukuk-focused Islamic fund from Principal Malaysia, launched 23 February 2005, with a small Shariah equity allocation. Benchmark is 85% CIMB Islamic 1-month FRIA-i plus 15% FBM EMAS Shariah Index. Application fee up to 2.00% of NAV per unit, management fee up to 1.00% per annum, trustee fee up to 0.03% per annum (fund page, crawled 2026-08-07).
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Principal Asset Management
Principal DALI Equity Growth Fund
Principal Malaysia's flagship Islamic equity fund, launched 7 May 1998, benchmarked against the FTSE Bursa Malaysia EMAS Shariah Index. Application fee up to 6.50% of NAV per unit, management fee up to 1.50% per annum, trustee fee up to 0.045% per annum. Fund size RM745 million with since-inception return of 562% as at 30 June 2026 (fund page, crawled 2026-08-07).
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Principal Asset Management
Principal Islamic Money Market Fund
Islamic money market fund from Principal Malaysia, launched 17 March 2008. No application fee, management fee up to 0.40% per annum, trustee fee up to 0.02% per annum, minimum initial investment RM10,000. Benchmarked against the CIMB Islamic 1-Month Fixed Return Income Account-i rate (fund page, crawled 2026-08-07).
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Where Available
Based on listings we track, Principal Asset Management operates nationwide:
Nationwide availability
Availability may vary by product type. Always verify current availability directly with Principal Asset Management.
How We Compare
- • We review publicly available information from providers, including Shariah compliance documentation.
- • We compare financing structures, total costs, down payment requirements, and state availability.
- • We prioritize providers that clearly explain their halal compliance rationale and operate with transparency.
- • We note which products are available nationwide versus regionally.
- • Learn more about our methodology.
Quick Answer
Principal Asset Management offers halal financial products that comply with Shariah principles, avoiding interest (riba) and prohibited industries. Their products are available in 1 state and include Investing options.
Key Takeaways
- Principal Asset Management offers Shariah-compliant financial products that avoid interest and prohibited industries.
- Products are available in 1 state: Nationwide.
- Product categories include Investing.
- Always verify compliance directly with Principal Asset Management and consult qualified Islamic finance advisors when needed.
- Compare Principal Asset Management's products with other providers to find the best fit for your needs.
Important: HalalWallet provides educational information and comparisons to help you explore halal financial options. We do not provide financial, legal, or religious advice. Product structures and Shariah compliance oversight vary by provider. Always verify halal compliance directly with providers and consult with qualified Islamic finance advisors or scholars for guidance on specific products and your individual circumstances.
Sources and review process
This page is reviewed against HalalWallet editorial standards and source documentation.
Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 2026-03-09
How to cite this page
Preferred format:
For time-sensitive claims (rates, fees, state availability), please verify directly with the provider's official documentation and note the retrieval date.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of halal products does Principal Asset Management offer?
Principal Asset Management offers 3 products across 1 category. Principal Asset Management is best for [object Object],[object Object],[object Object]. Review the products listed above or contact Principal Asset Management directly for current offerings.
How does Principal Asset Management ensure Shariah compliance?
Amanie Advisors Sdn Bhd named Shariah adviser in the master prospectus (reviewed 2026-08-06) FTSE Bursa Malaysia EMAS Shariah Index benchmark on the equity flagship Islamic deposit-rate benchmarks (CIMB Islamic FRIA-i) on cash and sukuk funds Islamic PRS Plus under the SC PRS framework
How does Principal Asset Management work?
Choose a channel: Invest via Principal consultants, CIMB, online, or the Touch 'n Go eWallet integration for small amounts. Pick the Islamic range: DALI equity funds, Islamic sukuk and money market funds, or Islamic PRS Plus for retirement. Negotiate entry fees: Application fees are maximums; distribution channels discount them, and EPF i-Invest purchases are capped at 3%.
Is Principal Asset Management available in my state?
Principal Asset Management operates nationwide, though specific products may have regional limitations. Always verify current availability directly with Principal Asset Management.
What are alternatives to Principal Asset Management?
Principal versus Public Mutual is the central choice in Malaysian Islamic active funds: Principal has the stronger flagship record and target-date PRS automation, Public Mutual the bigger agent network and lower flagship entry cap (5.0% versus 6.50%). Against passive Eq8 ETFs, Principal's case is active alpha, which its own published numbers support better than any peer. Public Mutual: Bigger distribution and RM100 PRS entry, but no published performance story to match DALI. Eq8 Capital: Index exposure to the same screened universe at 0.40% for brokerage investors. AHAM Asset Management: Amanie-advised active alternative with EPF i-Invest access.
Are Principal Asset Management's products more expensive than conventional options?
Halal financing structures can have different fee structures compared to conventional products. Some options may be competitive with conventional rates, while others may have different cost structures. Pricing varies by product type, location, and individual circumstances. Always compare total costs and terms when evaluating options.
How do I contact Principal Asset Management?
Contact information for Principal Asset Management should be available through their website or the product listings above. Use the action links provided with each product to visit Principal Asset Management's website or contact them directly for more information.
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