Kuala lumpur: Strong corporate governance anchored in trust and accountability is essential for sustaining investor confidence and strengthening Malaysia's capital markets amid rising global uncertainty, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He said confidence does not emerge by chance but is earned through consistency, restraint, and responsibility. Fadillah stressed that while markets may react to short-term financial performance, long-term resilience depends on trust.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadillah elaborated, "Markets may respond to numbers in the short term, but they endure because of trust. When trust is established, it becomes a powerful force, one that stabilizes markets, attracts long-term investment, and allows economies to navigate uncertainty without losing their sense of direction." He delivered these remarks in his speech at the National Corporate Governance and Sustainability Awards (NACGSA) 2025.

Fadillah, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, emphasized that these principles align with the Malaysia MADANI framework. He stated, "MADANI calls upon us to pursue development that is sustainable, values-driven, and firmly grounded in integrity. It reminds us that growth without trust is fragile, and ambition without accountability is ultimately unsustainable."

He highlighted the role of NACGSA, organized by the Minority Shareholders Watch Group (MSWG), in strengthening governance standards by recognizing responsible leadership rather than relying solely on regulation. "NACGSA is not merely a platform for recognition, but also a signal. A signal that leadership in today's economy is measured not only by performance, but by stewardship; not only by results, but by responsibility," Fadillah elaborated.

Looking ahead, Fadillah noted that expectations will continue to rise, and challenges will become more complex, requiring not only technical competence but also clarity of purpose and steady leadership. He remarked, "Malaysia's strength lies in its ability to move forward without losing its moral compass, by adapting to change while remaining anchored in values, pursuing growth without compromising integrity, and competing while remaining grounded in responsibility."

NACGSA recognizes Malaysian public-listed companies that demonstrated high standards of corporate governance and sustainability practices.