PETALING JAYA: The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has revised its guidelines on advertising for capital market products and related services, to take into account advertising and promotional trends globally and domestically.
In a statement, the SC said the revision was in light of factors such as the growing prominence of social media and financial influencers (finfluencers).
“This is towards ensuring responsible advertising activities in relation to capital market products and services,” it said.
The SC said the revised framework will include new requirements relating to finfluencers who are not engaged as marketing agents by an advertiser, yet on their own accord, undertake advertising activities for any capital market products and services.
“They will be subject to the requirements under the guidelines as they would be regarded as advertisers for the purposes of the guidelines.”
The SC said the revised framework will also include the enhancement of requirements relating to advertisers’ duty to ensure the advertising activities conducted by their marketing agent comply with the Guidelines.
“The advertisers will otherwise be held accountable for the conduct of their marketing agent; and enhancement of requirements relating to use of social media to address its growing use for financial promotions.
“The guidelines will also impose a prohibition against advertising services in Malaysia, of persons who are not authorised by the SC.”
The SC said the guidelines are part of its ongoing efforts to promote responsible advertising on new channels of advertising such as social media, ultimately protecting investors.
“In reviewing and formulating the revised guidelines, the SC has, amongst others, benchmarked against other jurisdictions such as Australia, the UK and Singapore and considered the feedback received from engagement with relevant stakeholders including finfluencers.
“The revised guidelines will come into effect on Nov 1, 2025 to allow sufficient time for advertisers to familiarise and make the necessary preparations to meet the new requirements.”
