Shariah Mentorship Programme Cultivates Next Generation Of Talent - SC

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- The Shariah Mentorship Programme (SMP) aims to cultivate a sustainable pipeline of Shariah professionals for the Islamic capital market (ICM), according to the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC).

SC chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi said the programme’s importance is closely linked to the continued growth of Malaysia’s ICM.

“In terms of size, Malaysia's ICM grew from RM2.2 trillion in 2020 to RM2.7 trillion by the end of 2025, representing 64 per cent of the overall capital market.

“This comprises RM1.3 trillion in Shariah-compliant listed stocks and sukuk outstanding of RM1.4 trillion,” he said at the SMP graduation ceremony here today.

Mohammad Faiz highlighted that 80 per cent of Malaysia’s listed securities, or 867 counters, are Shariah-compliant.

He added that the Islamic fund management industry continues to expand, with 433 funds currently in the market, while the SC approved 54 sukuk programme submissions last year.

He said the broad range of Islamic instruments underscores the ICM’s central role in Malaysia’s capital market ecosystem.

“It calls for professionals of the highest calibre and attributes such as sound Shariah judgment, careful deliberation and professional accountability; the very skills SMP has been trying to cultivate,” said Mohammad Faiz.

He noted that almost 70 per cent of Malaysia’s Shariah advisers are aged 42 and above, while women account for only 13 per cent of the profession.

“The succession and talent risk is therefore real and urgent. The generation that built this industry will retire. The question is whether the next generation will be ready to take their place,” he added.

-- BERNAMA