Malaysia revises civil servant shareholding regulations, clarifying rules related to digital assets

According to The Edge Malaysia, Malaysia has made comprehensive revisions to the regulations on shareholding and asset declaration for civil servants. The new rules stipulate that public officials can purchase shares in companies registered in Malaysia, but the shareholding ratio must not exceed 5% of the company's paid-up capital or a value of no more than 300,000 ringgit, whichever is lower. Although the upper limit for shareholding remains at 5%, the value limit has been increased from 100,000 ringgit. If officials wish to exceed the shareholding limits, they must apply for approval from designated officials, including the Prime Minister and the Chief Secretary to the Government. The announcement also specifies relevant rules regarding digital assets.

Previously, Bloomberg reported in February that the then Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Azam, held 17.7 million shares in a financial services company, valued at nearly 800,000 ringgit. This report sparked public debate in the country.