KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted that the rise in Malaysia’s equity market capitalisation this year, which has surpassed RM2 trillion, is further evidence of Malaysia’s economic recovery.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, commended both the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and Bursa Malaysia for their continuous efforts to ensure that the capital markets thrive and remain attractive to investors. He emphasized the importance of a robust regulatory framework that maintains a fair and orderly market, with diverse fundraising and investment opportunities across various financial instruments.

Anwar’s speech, read by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan at the 63rd World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) General Assembly and Annual Meeting, underscored the crucial role of capital market leaders in shaping business and society. Also present at the event were Bursa Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar and WFE chairman Loh B
oon Chye.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of increasing retail investor involvement to make equities investment a common source of wealth creation, aligning with the MADANI Economy’s vision of equal opportunities for all sectors. He noted that this would enhance market liquidity and dynamism, benefiting all participants.

Anwar also pointed out the opportunities and risks presented by the increasing interconnectedness of global capital markets, highlighting the need for coordinated global responses to manage cross-border trading, diverse regulatory regimes, and market volatility. He expressed hope that the WFE General Assembly would foster collaborations among world exchanges to mitigate global systemic risks.

Furthermore, Anwar addressed the growing influence of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda on the world economy and capital markets. He stated that exchanges play a crucial role in promoting ESG disclosures and supporting the transition to a green economy. In Malaysia, the
National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF) has been established to align with IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, providing clear guidelines for sustainability reporting by companies.