SC, Bursa Malaysia Propose LEAP Market 2.0 To Boost MSME Fundraising
KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Bernama) -- The Securities Commission (SC) and Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd (Bursa Malaysia) today proposed enhancements to the LEAP Market.
The enhancements, LEAP Market 2.0, include expanding fundraising access for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and supporting their growth in Malaysia’s capital market ecosystem.
In a joint statement, they said that the proposed enhancements would strengthen the value proposition of the platform to facilitate more seamless fundraising for smaller businesses and mid-tier companies (MTCs) from private to public markets.
The initiative supports the objectives under the SC’s Capital Market Masterplan 2026-2030 (CMP) and aligns with the SC’s Catalysing MSME and MTC Access to the Capital Market: Five-Year Roadmap (2024-2028).
It also complements the national MSME and MTC development agenda.
SC chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi said the move represents a major step in building a more inclusive capital market for MSMEs and MTCs under the CMP.
"It reinforces our funding escalator, lowering costs, while improving access to growth capital through a more facilitative regulatory environment.
"To date, one equity crowdfunding (ECF) issuer has transitioned to the LEAP Market, while 10 LEAP Market-listed companies have migrated to the ACE Market, demonstrating the potential for a stronger and more sustainable pipeline of companies progressing through the capital market," he said.
Mohammad Faiz said that with a strong pool of addressable candidates for capital market fundraising with 8,500 MTCs, the proposal would enable a visible and smoother listing pathway for MTCs and MSMEs.
The proposed enhancements under LEAP Market 2.0 include an alternative fundraising pathway for ECF-funded and venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) backed companies; simplified disclosure; broader investor participation; share-based payment to advisers; and seamless transfer from LEAP Market to ACE Market.
Bursa Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Fad’l Mohamed said the proposed enhancements build on the LEAP Market’s role as an established entry point into the public market for MSMEs and MTCs.
He said these enhancements introduce greater flexibility in admission pathways, more streamlined disclosures and broader investor participation.
"Together, these measures are aimed at supporting MSMEs and MTCs as they participate in and grow through the capital market, while strengthening capital formation, reinforcing market depth and transparency, and maintaining appropriate standards of investor protection for a qualified market," said Fad’l.
Meanwhile, Bursa Malaysia has issued a public consultation paper to seek public feedback on the proposed enhancements made pursuant to LEAP Market 2.0.
Views and feedback from the public on the proposed amendments to the LEAP Market and ACE Market Listing Requirements are to be made through the following link: https://www.bursamalaysia.com/regulation/public_consultation.
The public consultation closes on June 15, 2026.
The LEAP Market 2.0 announcement was made by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan in March 2026.
-- BERNAMA