Media Engagements - Strategic Engagements with Stakeholders

Media Engagements

The SC’s commitment to fostering transparency, openness, and trust has been demonstrated through its robust media engagement activities throughout the year. In 2023, the SC issued 58 media releases, hosted eight press conferences and background briefings, and conducted 25 interviews with various media outlets. These efforts aim to ensure that accurate and timely information about the SC’s initiatives and decisions are disseminated to the public.

Furthermore, 36 speeches by the SC Chairman and Senior Management team were shared with the press, allowing for greater access to the SC’s key messages and priorities. The SC also issued press statements on significant events and developments, including the launch of Ekonomi MADANI, Invest Malaysia New York 2023 and Budget 2024. These press statements served as concise summaries of the SC’s position and provided important context for the public and media to understand the rationale of these initiatives.

To nurture closer relationships with the media, regular visits to prominent media outlets were organised. In 2023, the SC organised three visits to various media outlets, allowing the SC to engage with journalists and editors in person. The SC visited The Edge and the New Straits Times Press, as well as state media agencies to forge relationships as well as engage in potential strategic partnerships.

Additionally, the SC30 Golf Tournament provided an avenue for networking and informal discussions, further strengthening the relationship between the SC and the media industry.

The SC’s media engagement strategy extended beyond mere reporting; it aimed to establish thought leadership through the regular contributions of op-ed articles by the SC’s Executive Team. In 2023, the SC contributed 10 op-ed articles to prominent publications, sharing insights on various topics and industry trends such as sustainability, audit, and investor education. These articles not only allowed the SC to showcase its expertise and vision but also provided valuable insights to shape public discourse on matters related to its mandate and responsibilities.

One of the cornerstones of the SC’s media engagement activities was its commitment to investor education and protection. The SC spearheaded various media campaigns aimed at raising awareness about financial literacy and educating the public on how to identify and avoid investment scams. In 2023, targeted efforts were made through print, online and broadcast media to communicate with the public in rural communities and underserved areas.

By actively engaging with the media, the SC ensures that accurate and timely information is disseminated to the public, promoting a better understanding of its work and enhancing its credibility as a trusted, transparent and approachable regulator.

Mitigating Systemic Risks And Promoting Financial Stability

Enhanced Risk Governance Framework

In 2021, the SC-wide risk governance framework was enhanced as part of an overall initiative to have an effective integrated and predictive risk surveillance to maintain regulatory agility.

The structured risk governance framework integrated the wider spectrum of risks such as technology, cyber and conduct risk at the SC’s Systemic Risk Oversight Committee (SROC) and Accounting, Market and Corporate Surveillance Committee (ACMS).

Intensified surveillance

The SC continued to intensify its surveillance of systemic risk to maintain market resilience and stability. Regular SROC engagements were held to deliberate concerns emanating from various segments across the capital market. Domestic equity and bond market, foreign fund flows and trade participation continued to be monitored closely for potential stress points.

In addition, measures and economic stimulus packages introduced by the government to weather the impact of COVID-19, market trading conduct and the financial position of listed companies were among the focus areas for discussion.

Thematic assessments

The SC also conducted thematic assessments covering investors’ fund flows, the position of firms, and policy decisions to ascertain the possible impact on the capital market. In 2021, the SC reviewed and enhanced its crisis indicators on potential emerging risks in the
capital market.

The enhanced crisis indicators provided a reference point for escalation to SROC when the identified indicators and triggers materialised and ensured prompt response to manage and prevent any issues of concern that might lead to a systemic crisis.

Joint regulatory discussions

In 2021, the SC conducted frequent joint regulatory discussions with other authorities such as Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA) to identify systemic risk concern areas within the financial and capital markets in Malaysia.

Monitoring of various components of the capital market

The SC continued its efforts to undertake a methodological and integrated approach to ensure any potential systemic risk was being monitored, mitigated, or managed. Figure 1 highlights the findings from the following risk assessments on the various components of the capital market.