Behind every well-oiled company is a professional ensuring that the corporate decision-making processes are orderly, documented, and compliant with the relevant laws. This responsibility often falls to a Chartered Secretary, a role important enough that the appointment of one is mandatory for companies to be validly incorporated under the Companies Act 2016 in Malaysia. This means that the demand for this profession will likely remain steady as Malaysia continues to grow economically. 

This role requires a relatively high degree of mastery over law, finance, governance, and organisational leadership, all of which are important skills considering how close Chartered Secretaries are to those with the ultimate managerial power in the companies they have chosen to serve.  

The work of a Chartered Secretaries will be largely guided by the Companies Act 2016, the primary legal framework for companies in Malaysia. Other relevant regulations also include the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance, guidelines issued by the Securities Commission Malaysia as well as the Bursa Malaysia’s Listing Requirements if the Secretary is serving a public listed company. 

The role of a Chartered Secretary extends beyond that of administrative support. While corporate governance standards have steadily evolved in recent years due to regulatory reform, some of these standards have also been influenced by increased scrutiny from shareholders and the public, who are becoming more aware of the impact companies have on society at large. A good Chartered Secretary would make the effort to be aware of these factors as much as possible. 

All in all, Chartered Secretaries are typically expected, inter alia, to advise directors on their duties under the Companies Act 2016, manage board and shareholder meetings, ensure timely and orderly filings with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia or SSM), and maintain corporate records, registers and resolutions. 

To qualify as a Chartered Secretary, s. 235(1) of the Companies Act 2016 requires that the Secretary be: 

1. A natural person; 
2. At least eighteen (18) years old; and 
3. A citizen or permanent resident of Malaysia with a principal place of residence in the country. 

Under s. 235(2), the Secretary would also need to either be:  

• a member of any of the approved bodies listed under the Fourth Schedule of the Act, such as the Malaysian Institutes of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAICSA) and the Malaysian Bar; or  
• licenced by the SSM under s. 20G of the Companies Commission of Malaysia Act 2001. 

A law degree would be a relevant academic foundation for those intending to pursue a career as a Chartered Secretary. The skills acquired throughout the degree would help prospective Secretaries navigate the increasingly complex statutory requirements companies must now comply with, and there are subjects that would help students understand the fundamentals of how companies operate, such as Company Law, Banking & Finance, and Financial Crime. 

The Master of Corporate Law & Governance (MCLG) offered by Veritas University College in collaboration with MAICSA allows students to deepen their understanding of corporate governance, compliance, and risk management. Delivered via Open and Distance Learning (ODL), the programme is structured to support working professionals alongside their employment. 

Through this programme, students will: 

• Study MAICSA-linked electives aligned with professional governance practice 

• Work towards a MAICSA membership 

• Meet academic requirements to qualify as a Chartered Secretary 

• Develop competencies relevant to corporate governance, compliance, and risk oversight 

If a student has the sufficient and relevant professional experience, they may also meet the requirements to apply as a Tax Agent under the Income Tax Act 1967 and apply for membership with the Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia.