Bursa Malaysia Annual Report 2015

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FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
19 Bursa Malaysia • Annual Report 2015
Sustainability thereby creates value for both shareholders and stakeholders
in terms of greater returns as well as better stewardship of EES goals. Finally,
I would like to reiterate that our sustainability journey did not begin with the
initiatives in 2015 nor do they end with their implementation; rather, it is
important to recognise that developing sustainability is a continual process
and we expect to make further developments going forward.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Bursa Malaysia received a number of awards recognising its performance
and commitment to market development in the financial year under review.
The awards received include the ASEAN Top 50 Public-Listed Company,
ASEAN Top 5 Public-Listed Company and Malaysia Top 3 Public-Listed
Company at the inaugural ASEAN Corporate Governance Conference.
In addition, the Exchange also received the Excellence Award for Top
Corporate Governance and Performance (Overall) and Merit Award for
Corporate Governance Disclosure at the MSWG-ASEAN Corporate
Governance Transparency Index, Findings and Recognition 2015. We are
encouraged by the accolades received, which serve as indicators that we
are progressing on the right track. A full list of our awards is available on
page 7 of this Report.
EXTRACTING VALUE FROM ASEAN
With regard to our role as a stock exchange operator, our next phase of
development will see us leverage on our competitive advantages – e.g.
our established framework on sustainability, our role in providing global
benchmark for crude palm oil contracts and our role as the global
pacesetter in the Islamic Capital Market – to enhance our footprint in
ASEAN. The official launch of the ASEAN Community in October 2015 is
a timely reminder that our horizons extend beyond Malaysian borders
to encompass the region as a whole. ASEAN, collectively, is the seventh
largest marketplace in the world, with a degree of built-in diversity that
makes us an attractive and robust trading partner.
To take full advantage of ASEAN opportunities, Bursa Malaysia will
accelerate its positioning as ASEAN’s Multinational Marketplace. In other
words, Bursa Malaysia aims to leverage on PLCs with regional exposure
as an attraction for investors looking for ASEAN representation. We will
continue to work closely with our PLCs going forward to develop winning
propositions for all parties.
Bursa Malaysia strives to develop itself as a regional leader in key areas
of the capital markets, e.g. in sustainability, governance and the Islamic
capital market. The Exchange’s role as a regional first adopter in many of
these areas will be a key competitive advantage, but one that will require
greater development if it is to remain in a leadership position.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are aware that we will need the combined efforts of our PLCs and
stakeholders if we are to attain our vision of becoming the region’s leading
stock exchange. They have been splendid supporters thus far, and, on behalf
of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank and recognise them for all
their efforts. Special acknowledgement also goes to our shareholders, as
well as to our regulators and policymakers, in particular the Ministry of
Finance, the Securities Commission and Bank Negara Malaysia, for their
contributions to our vibrant marketplace.
Our appreciation also goes out to the Management, and from a personal
capacity, to my colleagues on the Board of Directors who have provided
keen insight and advice during my first year as the Chairman of the Board.
Last but not least, our thanks to the staff of Bursa Malaysia whose sacrifice
and efforts are the very cornerstone of all our endeavours.
CHAIRMAN’S LETTER
TO SHAREHOLDERS
at the inaugural ASEAN Corporate Governance ConferenceTOP 5 PLC
ASEAN
Tan Sri Amirsham A Aziz
Chairman