PETALING JAYA: The Securities Commission (SC) has revised its guidelines on advertising for capital market products and related services, taking 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 enhance requirements relating to advertisers’ duty to ensure that advertising activities conducted by their marketing agents 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. “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.”
