Q12. Has the Government transferred funds to Temasek or GIC to show better performance?
No, the Government has not and does not transfer funds to Temasek or GIC to improve their performance figures.
In the case of Temasek, the Government is its sole shareholder. The Government injects capital into Temasek from time-to-time as part of the Government’s allocation of fresh flows of funds, and to allow Temasek to plan its future investment strategies. These capital injections are reflected in Temasek’s accounts and are made public
An occasional misperception is that capital injections can be used to improve the reported returns performance of Temasek. Capital injections can increase the size of the portfolio but do not improve the investment returns6 . Temasek’s reported returns figure follows the widely accepted practice of computing returns, which is to deduct any capital injections from (and withdrawals by) the Government in making such calculations. Temasek’s returns figure is reviewed and regularly published in its annual report.
In the case of GIC, the Government may also allocate fresh flow of funds to be managed by GIC. Such allocations also cannot improve GIC’s investment performance figures