Bursa Malaysia Berhad (“Bursa Malaysia”) today issued a consultation paper to seek feedback on the proposed amendments to the Rules of Bursa Malaysia Depository Sdn Bhd and consequential amendments to the MAIN Market and ACE Market Listing Requirements, to facilitate the dematerialisation of securities deposited with Bursa Malaysia Depository Sdn Bhd (the “Proposed Amendments”).
Dematerialisation entails removing the requirement for the issuance and custodisation of physical jumbo certificates as evidence of title or ownership of deposited securities. The Proposed Amendments are intended to support more efficient and sustainable depository processes by reducing reliance on paper documentation and streamlining key steps in the deposit of securities process. The public consultation seeks feedback on the Proposed Amendments, which sets out, among others, the simplification of the securities deposit process, enhancements to the role of issuers and share registrars in such process, and the introduction of transitional provisions for the return and cancellation of physical scrips.
This initiative is part of Bursa Malaysia’s broader effort to modernise and digitalise market processes by reducing paper-based frictions, enhancing operational efficiency and time-to-market, reducing operational risks associated with physical documents and lowering the costs relating to the issuance and delivery of physical jumbo certificates and related administrative expenses.
Bursa Malaysia has implemented Phase 1 of dematerialisation since 1 August 2025, with much success, with over 2,7001 dematerialised issuances in respect of specified securities2. Phase 2, which is the subject of this consultation, will extend the dematerialised framework to all securities, marking a significant step towards a scripless environment.
The consultation paper is available at: www.bursamalaysia.com/regulation/public_consultation. The public consultation will run for six weeks from 1 September 2026 to 13 October 2026 and Bursa Malaysia welcomes feedback from all our stakeholders. Feedback received during the consultation period will be reviewed and considered in finalising the Proposed Amendments
[1] This figure is based on the number of issuances as at 28 August 2026, being the last trading day of August 2026.
[2] Securities of newly listed real estate investment trusts, exchanged-traded funds, structured warrants, business trusts, provisional allotment letters for rights issues, and provisional letters of offer for renounceable offers for sale.
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