MALAYSIA - CAPITAL MARKETS - Malaysia revises Shari’ah screening methodology

www.cpifinancial.net  - The Shari’ah Advisory Council (SAC) of the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has announced the adoption of a revised screening methodology to determine the Shari’ah-compliant status of listed companies.

In view of the developments and growing sophistication of the Islamic finance industry since the introduction of the current screening methodology in 1995, the SAC has revised the methodology by adopting a two-tier quantitative approach which applies the business activity benchmarks and the newly-introduced financial ratio benchmarks. The outcome of the revised methodology will be reflected in the List of Shari’ah-compliant Securities by the SC's SAC effective from November 2013.  (source)



 In addition to the above two-tier quantitative assessment, the existing qualitative assessment will continue to be applicable while the release of the list of Shari’ah-compliant securities will remain twice a year. "The revision to the screening methodology will further facilitate the orderly development of the Islamic equity market and fund management industry at both domestic and international levels, in line with the growth strategies outlined under the Capital Market Masterplan 2," said Zainal Izlan Zainal Abidin, Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market of the SC. The SC will engage with relevant stakeholders and a set of FAQs, in respect of details and operationalisation of the revised methodology, is available at the SC website at www.sc.com.my Consisting of prominent Shariah scholars, jurists and market practitioners, the SC's SAC is responsible for ascertaining and issuing rulings on the application of Shari’ah principles on matters pertaining to the Islamic capital market (ICM).

Source:  http://www.cpifinancial.net/news/post/14498/malaysia-revises-shariah-screening-methodology - June 20, 2012