A benchmark for Malaysian investor relations practitioners

By Rupinder Singh


THE Malaysian Investor Relations Association (MIRA) has introduced the Certificate in Investors Relations of IR Society UK (CIR UK) as a benchmark for investor relations professionals in Malaysia.

As this is the first investor relations (IR) accreditation for industry professionals in Southeast Asia, MIRA has automatically become the first examination centre of CIR in the region.

MIRA chairman Datuk Justin Leong said the certification will help to establish a strong foundation for public listed companies in Malaysia.

"As the Malaysian capital market continues to develop, the roles of IR practitioners are becoming more significant. We hope to produce more professionals who will help demonstrate high competencies in IR to service our capital market," he said at the launch in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Leong said the contribution of the IR officer to improving the fair valuation of companies would increase over the next few years.

"The IR officer will be the key factor linking the demand for capital by companies on the one hand, and the availability of capital from investors on the other," he said.

Up to 25 candidates have already signed up for the first batch that will sit for their examination in August this year.

Bursa Malaysia Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Yusli Mohamed Yusoff said he strongly encourages all listed companies to enroll their IR officers in the certification learn and benchmark themselves against international standards of IR best practices.

Bursa Malaysia together with the Capital Markets Development Fund (CMDF), established MIRA with the task of evaluating the understanding and practice of investors relations as a key discipline in business strategy and communications.

Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Wira Chor Chee Heung said the role of IR officers is critical and integral to the country's growth.

He said with greater investor attention, companies have no choice but to pay attention to investors relations to wrestle a substantial share of investment funds.


This news article appeared in Business Times on 21 July 2009.