On 14 February 2025, the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) successfully conducted its 42nd Chairs’ Meeting in Penang, Malaysia, hosted by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC). The meeting endorsed the Strategic Thrusts and Key Principles for the upcoming ACMF Action Plan 2026-2030 (AP 2026), which aims to further develop ASEAN capital markets and will be released in October 2025. Notably, the ACMF welcomed a new collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia to develop a Carbon Market Ecosystem Roadmap and discussed updates on sustainability disclosures and the ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance. For more information, please click here.

On 17 February 2025, the SC announced the release of its Regulatory Sandbox Guidelines, outlining the eligibility criteria and requirements for participation. The sandbox provides a controlled environment for entities to test innovative capital market products or services, promoting responsible innovation while ensuring robust investor protection. Applications will be accepted from 15 April to 31 May 2025, with interested parties encouraged to engage in pre-consultation sessions. For further details, including the guidelines and application forms, please click here.

On 19 February 2025, the SC announced a collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) through a Letter of Intent to enhance expertise in sustainability disclosures. This partnership will focus on capacity-building, offering specialised training on climate-related financial disclosures and sustainability certifications. ICAEW conducted a workshop at the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum on 14 February 2025, addressing key sustainability disclosure requirements and regulatory best practices. This initiative aligns with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability” for 2025. For more information, please click here.

On 25 February 2025, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the SC announced the launch of the Strategic Co-Investment Fund (CoSIF) with an initial allocation of RM131.5 million. This fund aims to support local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and mid-tier companies (MTCs) in strategic sectors under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), utilising equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer financing platforms. CoSIF will enable the government to co-invest alongside private investors in various sectors, fostering innovation and sustainable economic growth. For more information, please click here.