KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is in a stronger position than a decade ago, thanks to major fiscal decisions by the government, such as subsidy cuts and a focus on economic development, said Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi.
He said the country’s improved financial position was also reflected in the recent pricing of its US dollar Government Sukuk issuance, which demonstrated stronger international recognition.
"Malaysia already offers a deep and diversified capital market which is bigger than banking assets, recognised leadership in Islamic finance, sound regulatory and governance foundations, as well as having a firm commitment to strengthening cross-border connectivity," he said at the ASEAN Investment Roadshow today.
Mohammad Faiz said efforts to improve the vibrancy and growth of Malaysia’s capital market were being undertaken under the Capital Market Masterplan 2026-2030 (CMP), including through initiatives such as MY Value Up with Bursa Malaysia involving the country’s top 88 public-listed companies.
The SC had also recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission to establish a framework for single-prospectus dual-listed initial public offerings and cross-listing of eligible REITs and ETFs, aimed at widening market access, providing more options for issuers and investors and deepening cross-border participation.
Mohammad Faiz also said ASEAN regulators had agreed last year on five key initiatives, including pursuing consistent voluntary carbon market standards and implementing the ASEAN Taxonomy Version 4.
The initiatives also included issuing a simplified environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure guide for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in ASEAN and developing a project guide to identify pilot projects for blended finance for adaptation and resilience funding.
He said the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) Action Plan 2026-2030 comprised five strategic thrusts, 11 key priorities and 18 initiatives aimed at strengthening regional integration and ASEAN’s global positioning.
"Four key initiatives in the ACMF Action Plan related to strengthening regional integration and global positioning are to promote ASEAN Diamonds, facilitate the creation of ASEAN indices, create a renewed focus on Islamic Finance, which is a differentiator for our markets, with a better shariah screening tool, and to facilitate intra-ASEAN activities, products and connectivity,” said Mohammad Faiz.
He said a key priority was to establish a committee to promote ASEAN as an asset class, currently led by the Philippines and Singapore.
Greater regional connectivity and international participation would be crucial to ASEAN’s next phase of growth, while calling on investors to reconsider ASEAN as a strategic long-term investment destination, said Mohammad Faiz. - Bernama
