Corporate Governance in Malaysia

In 2001, Malaysia experienced two important events which have significant implications for firms'' corporate governance in the country. The first is the integration of the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (MCCG) as part of Bursa Malaysia Listing Rules, and the second is the establishment of the Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group (MSWG), which emphasises the role of institutional investors in promoting shareholders activism. Spurred by these significant changes in the corporate governance landscape, this study examines the relationship between corporate governance structures, institutional ownership and firm performance for 440 Bursa Malaysia listed firms from 1999 to 2002. Our panel analysis finds that the corporate governance reform in Malaysia has been successful, with a significant improvement in governance practices. The implementation of the MCCG has a substantial effect on shareholders'' wealth, increasing stock prices by an average of about 10%. In addition, we find that institutional investors have a positive impact on firms'' corporate governance practices, and the relationship is strengthen in periods subsequent to the governance reform.