Published by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) in conjunction with its 30th anniversary in 2023, the book also offers glimpses of evolving global trends that will help shape the Malaysian market, already one of the largest in ASEAN, in the near future.

In his Royal Address, the Sultan of Perak said, “This book really pays tribute to the power of the team – to the way in which individual minds, voices and talents have come together across the decades, to build the SC into an internationally celebrated regulatory body.”

The 420-page book, written by veteran journalist Jennifer Jacobs, was based on fresh interviews and conversations with all the former and current SC Chairmen, past and current SC senior management, industry experts, scholars, other regulators, and key stakeholders.

Some of their insights are being shared publicly for the first time. These include how they addressed the 1997/98 Asian Financial Crisis and other pressing issues while ensuring the market continues to operate and investors remained protected.

In his foreword for the book, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who established the SC in 1993, said the book did not just record SC’s 30-year history.

“This book gives the perspectives of those in charge and delves into what they did and why they made their decisions. I hope you will find the following pages to be insightful and engaging,” he said.

Looking ahead, Dato' Seri Anwar said he entrusted the SC to spearhead further reforms and advancements to ensure a dynamic, attractive, and investor-friendly capital market.

The book resulted from the idea of the SC Chairman, Dato’ Seri Dr. Awang Adek Hussin to acknowledge and emphasise the important roles and contributions of previous SC Chairmen in moulding the legacy of the SC.

He said, “History is interesting in and of itself, but how much more interesting when coming from those who helped mould it - from early SC pioneers to key management staff and industry players. In short, it is a must-read for those interested in the Malaysian financial and corporate history.”

About 300 people, including former SC Chairmen and capital market industry leaders and practitioners, attended the event held at the SC.

The “Capital Market in Malaysia – Past, Present & Future”, is now available as an e-book on the SC website and at selected libraries nationwide.