KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13:The Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAICSA) is committed towards getting more businesses in Malaysia engage skilled company secretaries and governance professionals to ensure strict adherence to regulatory standards, says its president, Datuk Akbar Moidunny.
Speaking at the MAICSA’s president’s inauguration ceremony here on Monday where he was inducted as its 29th president, he said MAICSA wants to bridge the gap between the rising demand and supply of skilled governance professionals to ensure that businesses can uphold the highest standards of governance.
Akbar said the rise in new company registrations, particularly in the post-pandemic era, coupledwith the increasing number of entrepreneurial ventures, has significantly heightened the need for good corporate governance, compliance and corporate administration services.
“As businesses across various sectors, including technology startups and established financial institutions, expand and evolve, they increasingly recognise the crucial role of chartered secretaries in ensuring transparency, regulatory adherence, and organisational efficiency.
“Additionally, the growing emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework further underscores the demand for governance professionals who can expertly navigate these requirements,” he said.
Under Akbar’s leadership, MAICSA aims elevate professional development by offering cutting-edge programmes, championing good governance and ethical practices.
According to a report published by the World Bank Group in 2022 and the latest data from the Malaysia Statistical Business Register (DOSM, 2020), Malaysia is home to about 1.15 million business establishments.
Of these, 78.4 per cent are microenterprises while 21.6 per cent are classified as small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
SMEs form the backbone of the Malaysian economy, representing 97.2 per cent of total business establishments, contributing 38.2 per cent to the nation’s GDP, and providing employment to 7.3 million people.
Akbar said given the significant role of businesses in the economy, it is imperative that they engage skilled company secretaries and governance professionals.
He said despite the increasing need for these specialised services, there remains an acute shortage of qualified chartered secretaries to meet the demand.
Akbar said MAICSA’s Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme (CGQP) has been a premier choice for aspiring chartered secretaries and governance professionals due to its rigorous standards and international recognition.
The programme, he said, covers essential subjects such as company secretarial practice, interpreting financial accounting, company law, corporate governance, boardroom dynamics and risk management to equip members to meet global benchmarks.
In upholding the gold standards that prepare professionals to contribute effectively to the development of organisations, he said MAICSA supports their growth and ensures that they are well-prepared to excel in complex regulatory environments and drive progress on an international scale.
MAICSA, regarded as the premier professional body for Chartered Secretaries and Chartered Governance Professionals in Malaysia, boasts of a membership exceeding 6,000, including members, affiliates, students, and graduates. Established in 1959, MAICSA also stands as an affiliate body of The Chartered Governance Institute (CGI) UK and is now one of its distinguished divisions.
WE