KWAP’s Board, Investment Panel and its Management recognise the importance of corporate governance in conducting the affairs of KWAP and its investee companies.

It is generally acknowledged that investments in companies that practise good corporate governance will provide higher returns and contain lower risks in the long term. To ensure that such practices continue to be a mainstay among corporations, KWAP has chosen to be proactive in shareholder activism. In this context, proactive shareholder activism refers to speaking out on corporate governance and issues concerning the companies’ responsibility for the social and environmental aspects of their operations.

This is especially important in today’s volatile economic environment, where shareholder activism and its impact on corporate governance will ensure that only well-managed investments are retained, both in terms of efficiency and adherence to strict ethical values.

KWAP is a strong advocate of the idea that shareholder activism is not solely the responsibility of the regulators (e.g. Bursa Malaysia or the Securities Commission). With the regulators’ policies and regulations in place, it is the shareholders who are best positioned to enforce their rights.