KUALA LUMPUR: Women could make up 50% of board members in the capital market within five years, up from the current 34%, as there is a steady, qualified talent pool ready to move up into leadership, said Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi.
He explained that women already form the majority of university graduates and middle management in Malaysia.
“It’s actually possible (to reach 50% in five years). Because if we look at the universities, the graduates and even in middle management, most of them are already women,” he told reporters at the launch of investED for Returning Women today.
As at Oct 1, 2025, Faiz said, over 34% of board positions are held by women among the top 100 listed companies on Bursa Malaysia.
What is important now is to encourage and train them for higher management positions. “I think most companies already have mentoring programmes and such. That’s what’s crucial, to prepare them for high-level roles.”
Faiz said across many fields now, it is becoming more common to see women occupying top management and boardroom positions. “For example, if we look at PricewaterhouseCoopers, its chairman is a woman,” he pointed out.
Looking forward, Faiz said the SC is finalising a five-year plan to strengthen the market. “In January next year, we will announce this plan to further strengthen the capital market. But for now, things are alright.”
The SC chairman highlighted that Malaysia’s capital market remains stable, which he said is a key factor for maintaining investor confidence and sustaining investment activity.
InvestED for Returning Women, a training and re-entry programme, is designed to support women seeking to rejoin the capital market after a career break. The programme will provide returning women with the essential knowledge, skills and opportunities to thrive in the capital market.
First announced in October this year, investED for Returning Women has received over 600 applications, which the SC said reflects strong interest and demand among women seeking structured pathways back into professional employment.
Applicants’ ages range from mid 30s to late 40s, with many coming from the oil and gas, banking, finance and insurance sectors.
Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, who launched the event, said, “By supporting women with upskilling, mentorship and professional re-entry opportunities, the programme ensures that talent is not only retained, but fully valued.”
She said that among the Madani government’s seven medium-term targets set, one key performance indicator is to increase the female labour force participation rate to 60%. “Increasing women’s participation in the workforce is not only a matter of equity, it is also economically significant.”
Lim noted studies have shown that higher female labour participation could raise Malaysia’s gross domestic product by up to 7% to 12%.
At the same time, she said, the government recognises that when women step away from the workforce to fulfil family or societal responsibilities, their skills and professional identities do not disappear.
“What truly matters is how we create meaningful pathways for them to reconnect, rebuild, and resume their careers with confidence and dignity.”
Lim cited the government’s steps to encourage women to return to work and to create an environment where they can thrive.
“Among them, individual income tax exemption of up to 12 months for eligible women returnees, which has been extended until Dec 31, 2027. Additionally, under Budget 2024, the government increased the income tax exemption limit for childcare allowances from RM2,400 to RM3,000.”
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