Welcome Remarks at Launch of investED for Returning Women Programme

Speaker: Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi, Chairman, Securities Commission Malaysia

Location: Securities Commission Malaysia, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur
Delivered: 10 November 2025

Yang Berhormat Lim Hui Ying, Deputy Finance Minister,
Yang Berbahagia Datin Paduka Azalina Adham, Managing Director, Securities Commission Malaysia (SC),
Yang Berusaha Puan Nurul Ain Abdul Latif, Executive Chair, PwC Malaysia,
Yang Berusaha Puan Anne Abraham, Founder, Leap Women Malaysia,
SC Board Members and Senior Management,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and good morning.

Welcome to the launch of the investED for Returning Women programme.
We are honoured to have with us YB Lim, the Deputy Finance Minister, to officiate this meaningful initiative. In fact, YB Lim has been a great supporter of the SC and is always welcomed back as a good friend.
YB, thank you for joining us this morning and for your support of the SC’s efforts to strengthen talent development.

Building on the investED Programme

Since its inception in 2023, the investED Programme has successfully created pathways for graduates and young professionals to build careers in the Malaysian capital market.
Equipping them with practical knowledge, skills and exposure, enhances the pipeline of future-ready talent.
Building on this, we are now extending the same opportunity to a specific group - women who are ready to return to the capital market after a career break.
By welcoming back highly capable, qualified and experienced women professionals, we are not only broadening the talent pipeline but enriching its diversity. Greater gender diversity directly contributes to more balanced decision-making and better business outcomes.
This aligns with the SC’s aim of increasing women’s participation in boardrooms and the workforce which contributes to Malaysia’s broader gender inclusive agenda.

What this Initiative Offers

When we announced the programme last month, we received a positive response with over 600 applications received.
Those participants selected - with backgrounds spanning banking, finance, and the corporate sectors - will be enrolled in the first phase called ‘Refresh’. The second phase - or ‘Reskill’ - will feature technical training modules and industry exposure, among others.
Participants will also receive RM2,000 in incentives and a certificate of completion, signifying their readiness to take on new opportunities in the capital market and public-listed companies.
investED for Returning Women is therefore not just a capacity building programme - it recognises untapped potential and seeks to retain much-needed professional and leadership qualities.

Words of Encouragement and Appreciation

To the women participating - I want to commend you for your courage and determination.
Returning to the workforce reflects the confidence to restart, curiosity to relearn, and commitment to rebuild your professional career. It is not easy returning back to work but with some help and positive guidance, we hope to help you on your way.
Through this programme, you will gain not only new skills but also a community of peers, mentors, and leaders who believe in your potential. Please make the most of them as having a friend in a mentor, will help you overcome any difficulties.
The participation of our partners - the 30% Club Malaysia, LeadWomen, Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC), PwC Malaysia, and TalentCorp - adds energy and clout to investED for Returning Women.
I would like to record my sincere appreciation to all partners for their dedication, as well as the organising team at the SC who have turned investED for Returning Women into a reality.

Closing

As we celebrate today’s launch, let us remember that empowering women to return to professional careers is not just about inclusivity - it is about progress.
We are not only reopening doors for them. We are nurturing and sustaining the necessary ingredients for the continued growth and vibrancy of Malaysia’s capital market by bringing back into the workforce, skilled and experienced people.
With that, I would like to again congratulate those selected and to thank our partners again for their support.

Thank you.