KUALA LUMPUR: Fund managers and investors should take a more active role in ensuring their investments create long-term value, rather than simply providing capital, and promote value creation aligned with those goals.
Bursa Malaysia Bhd CEO Datuk Fad’l Mohamed said public-listed companies must also translate the principles of Maqasid al-Shariah into credible strategies, investable opportunities and measurable results, as syariah investing has a compelling and increasingly relevant role to play in an uncertain world.
“The growth of Islamic finance reflects this relevance. Malaysia’s Islamic capital market reached RM2.75 trillion in 2025, nearly two-thirds of our capital market. Eighty-one per cent of our listed companies are syariah-compliant, while trading of syariah-compliant securities accounts for 69% of Bursa Malaysia’s average daily value.
“Furthermore, Malaysia has also cemented its position as the world’s largest ESG sukuk market, holding a 31% share of global outstanding ESG sukuk as of end-June 2026.
“This scale gives Malaysia a strong foundation upon which to further advance syariah investing as a mainstream force for economic development, innovation and sustainable growth.
“Underpinning this direction is the Maqasid al-Shariah – the idea that capital should not only deliver financial returns, but also contribute to broader economic and social good,“ Fad’l told delegates at the Invest Shariah Conference 2026 today.
He said the principles that underpin syariah investing – fairness, real economic activity, transparency, prudent risk-taking, and responsible stewardship – are principles that resonate strongly with investors seeking resilience and sustainability in an increasingly challenging global economic climate.
The syariah principle is also reflected in the Capital Market Masterplan 2026-2030, which guides the channelling of capital towards priorities such as innovation, sustainability and long-term economic resilience, he said.
Under the masterplan, Malaysia aims to mobilise RM90 billion to RM100 billion for climate action, a just transition and social progress by 2030.
Delivering those outcomes requires concerted efforts by every part of the ecosystem, Fad’l said.
“At Bursa Malaysia, our role is to translate investor intent into market impact by broadening pathways for syariah-compliant capital – enabling more capital to be channelled towards productive enterprises, accelerating innovation, business growth and the broader economy,” he said.
CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd CEO Hairi Shahrin Arief Baki said investors today have greater access to information than ever before.
However, more information does not always produce greater understanding, and faster access does not necessarily lead to better decisions.
“In markets where sentiment can shift within minutes, investors need a clear framework for distinguishing short-term noise from sustainable value.
“That is where Maqasid al-Shariah provides an important guiding lens. It reminds us that progress should be assessed not only through growth and innovation, but also through whether investment activity remains responsible, relevant and beneficial.
“For CGS Malaysia, this means ensuring that innovation responds to genuine investor needs and that investment solutions are supported by sound governance and meaningful economic value.
“Maqasid al-Shariah therefore provides the common thread connecting today’s discussions, from navigating global uncertainty and asset allocation to digital transformation and the economic and market outlook,“ he said.
At the same time, Hairi Shahrin said, technology is changing how quickly and widely investors can act.
Digital platforms have made investment information easier to obtain and transactions more convenient. This can support wider participation, but the more important question is whether technology helps investors make better-informed and more suitable decisions, he noted.
“For CGS Malaysia, digitalisation should strengthen the investment process by improving access to credible information, supporting clearer risk assessment and enabling investors to participate with greater confidence. The same principle applies to product development. Innovation should respond to a genuine investor or market need, be communicated clearly and be supported by sound syariah governance,“ Hairi Shahrin said.
Themed “Ethical Investing in a Digital and Volatile World”, Invest Shariah Conference 2026, hosted by Bursa Malaysia and CGS Malaysia, brought together capital market leaders, industry experts, syariah scholars and economists to discuss the future of syariah investing, geopolitical developments, asset allocation, digital transformation and the economic and market outlook.
The conference featured representatives from Bursa Malaysia, CGS Malaysia, the Securities Commission Malaysia, Malaysia Investment Development Authority , financial institutions and investment management firms.
