KUALA LUMPUR – The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (the Exchange) announced on December 20 that the Exchange will be the sole approving authority for ACE Market Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), effective January 1, 2022.
Under the new regulatory framework, the Exchange will become a one-stop centre for all ACE Market IPO approvals. This would also include the registration of abridged prospectus for the purpose of secondary fund raising activities via rights issues by corporations listed on the ACE Market.
The streamlining and consolidation of the ACE’s listing and approval process was announced by the SC in July 2021. During the transition period, the SC will continue to register ACE Market prospectuses that have been submitted to the SC prior to January 1, 2022.
“The streamlining of the listing process and regulatory framework for the ACE Market is part of the SC’s initiatives under the five-year Capital Market Masterplan 3 to enhance fundraising efficiency for Malaysian corporations at various stages of growth,” said Datuk Syed Zaid Albar, SC Chairman.
“More importantly, corporations seeking listing on the ACE Market would benefit from a seamless listing process while upholding the same level of investor protection.”
“These new IPO rules will improve the efficiency and efficacy of the ACE Market IPO process, providing a more facilitative regime for companies who are seeking to list on the Exchange,” said Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia.
The review also entailed other enhancements to the ACE Market Listing Requirements to strengthen investor protection. Under the improved sponsorship regime, greater emphasis will be placed on the duty of the Sponsor and its key officers to ensure the validity, accuracy and completeness of submissions made to the Exchange, as well as disclosures to the market.
Apart from the ACE Market Listing Requirements, the Exchange also enhanced the Principal Adviser framework under the Main Market Listing Requirements, in line with the SC’s recognised principal adviser framework and strengthened the accountability of such advisers and its key officers.
“In particular, significant proposals such as a Major Disposal will now be subjected to greater supervision and oversight of the recognised principal adviser and its officers,” said Bursa Malaysia.
For more information, please visit the following webpages:
• Amendments to the ACE Market Listing Requirements
• Amendments to the Main Market Listing Requirements
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