The issuance of these guidelines is in line with the SC’s Corporate Governance Strategic Priorities (2017-2020) which seeks to, among others, promote the proper discharge of directors’ fiduciary duties among corporate Malaysia.

The Guidelines set out guidance on duties and responsibilities of boards in company group structures and requirements for the establishment of a group-wide framework to enable, among others, oversight of group performance and the implementation of corporate governance policies.

“The new Guidelines take into account the evolving Malaysian corporate governance landscape, lessons learnt from the SC’s regulatory work in enforcing corporate governance breaches and the need to ensure that Malaysia’s framework remains relevant and effective. In discharging his fiduciary duties, a director owes the company duties of disclosure, honesty, candour and the duty to favour the company’s interest over his own,” said Datuk Syed Zaid Albar, Chairman of the SC.

The introduction of these Guidelines is one of the measures approved by the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption (JKKMAR) in 2019. The Guidelines comes into effect on 30 July 2020, with the exception of Chapter 5 on Group Governance which will come into effect on 1 January 2021. The Guidelines is available at the SC website here.