KUALA LUMPUR (March 9): Malaysia must widen the pipeline of companies ready to enter the local stock exchange, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday, stressing a need to deepen the country’s capital market.

The equity market made up RM2.1 trillion of the RM4.3-trillion-strong capital market in 2025.

Speaking at the launch of the Securities Commission Malaysia’s (SC) fourth Capital Market Masterplan (CMP4), which runs from 2026 to 2030, Anwar Ibrahim said efforts to strengthen Bumiputera participation, including supporting firms with the capacity and ambition to become public-listed companies, are indispensable to building a more inclusive and broad-based economy. 

He noted that the global economy is increasingly complex and investor expectations are evolving, so Malaysia must move forward with clarity and ambition to sustain confidence, increase participation and unlock the market’s full potential.

Anwar said the next phase of growth must be anchored in regional ambition, as envisioned under the Madani Economy framework.

“Asean is among the fastest-growing markets globally, but success demands scale, capital and talent,” he added.

Under CMP4, capital market intermediaries will play a central role in creating market-based pathways for Malaysian Asean Business Entities (MyABE) and Bumiputera-owned ventures to expand beyond Malaysia, said Anwar.

“As they grow into regional champions, they will carry Malaysian capabilities, values and standards, strengthening the country’s contribution to regional economic integration,” he added.

Anwar also highlighted Malaysia’s leadership in Islamic finance, which he said places the country in a strong position to pioneer solutions that uplift livelihoods, widen access to education and healthcare, and strengthen resilience against climate risk. 

He encouraged deeper exploration of waqf-based financing, Islamic social finance solutions and blended finance models that deliver measurable outcomes and ensure capital reaches those who need it most. 

Anwar also welcomed the establishment of the Social Exchange Platform under the SC’s regulatory framework.

“By enhancing transparency and credibility in the intermediation of funds for social and community causes the platform will help embed impact and accountability at the heart of our financial system,” he added.

Meanwhile, Anwar said ambitions under CMP4 are fully aligned with Malaysia’s broader transformation agenda, including the New Industrial Masterplan 2030 (NIMP 2030) and National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which aim to accelerate industrial upgrading and drive the transition towards a low-carbon economy. 

CMP4 sets out four key objectives: to strengthen capital-raising, reward business dynamism, embed sustainability as a driver of value and broaden meaningful participation across the economy. 

“Our capital market must power this transition by providing meaningful pathways for companies to raise funds efficiently, scale with confidence, and innovate with purpose,” he said. 

In addition, CMP4 also complements the country’s effort at scale and directs investment into sectors that will drive sustainable growth, Anwar said.

The SC expects the capital market to grow to RM5.8 trillion by 2030, driven by organic growth and initiatives under CMP4.

The SC says coordinated efforts — like tax and investment incentives, government-linked investment companies reforms, capital account flexibility, and clearer policies on sustainability, digitalisation and AI — could push the market up to RM6.3 trillion.

This growth would mean a 5.5%-7% annual increase from RM4.2 trillion in 2024 (and RM3.8 trillion in 2023), boosting activity across equities, bonds and sukuk.

Read also:
CMP4: Malaysia’s capital market could reach RM6.3 tril by 2030, RM20 tril by 2045
CMP4: SC to launch pre-IPO programme to build pipeline of Bumiputera listings
CMP4: SC targets RM100 bil sustainability financing by 2030

Click here for all you need to know about the Capital Market Masterplan 2026-2030.