On 25 March, the 30% Club Malaysia and PwC Malaysia hosted a landmark event in conjunction with International Women’s Day 2025 that cut to the heart of corporate governance transformation.
As part of PwC Malaysia’s Board Agenda Series and supported by Securities Commission Malaysia, the Diversity in Debate event challenged leaders to rethink board composition fundamentally.
Chair of 30% Club Malaysia and Executive Chair of PwC Malaysia Nurul A’in Abdul Latif’s opening address set a compelling tone, drawing from the Corporate Directors Survey 2024 to illuminate the critical state of board diversity.
Her key message was unequivocal: the corporate governance landscape is undergoing unprecedented change, with board composition now a strategic lever for organisational success.
Traditional recruitment practices have created a systemic barrier to diverse talent, trapping potential board members in a catch-22: candidates are overlooked due to lack of board experience, yet cannot gain that experience without opportunity.
While regulatory compliance has given Malaysia a leg up getting more women on boards; true diversity demands a cultural shift that goes beyond tokenism.
The event’s centrepiece was a razor-sharp debate on the motion: The responsibility to improve gender diversity on boards lies with regulators and not companies.
Led by Rejina Rahim, Founder of Wahine Capital and 30% Club Steering Committee member, the debate assembled top-tier corporate minds:
– Freda Liu, Board Member, Exsim Hospitality
Berhad
– Raymond Tang, Industry Expert on Regulatory
Committees
– Julian M Hashim, Chief Regulatory Officer, Bursa
Malaysia Berhad
– Anne Abraham, Founder & Chairperson,
LeadWomen
The dialogue illuminated Malaysia’s progressive position in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), particularly in sectors like Financial Services and Healthcare.
The conversation transcended gender, exploring diversity through the lenses of age, technological expertise, professional backgrounds, and racial representation.
The ultimate takeaway was clear: board diversity is not a compliance checkbox, but a strategic imperative that demands collaboration, innovation, and a genuine commitment to recognising talent in all its forms.
