YOUNGER Malaysians are driving a surge in retail participation in the capital market, with more than 342,000 new Central Depository System (CDS) accounts opened in the first six months of 2026, prompting regulators to step up investor education and protection against scams.
The number of new accounts rose about 24% from the corresponding period last year, while investors aged 35 and below accounted for around 60% of the new accounts.
The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and Bursa Malaysia Berhad said the figures underscored the need to ensure new and existing investors had access to reliable information and understood the risks associated with increasingly diverse investment products and digital platforms.
The two organisations launched the inaugural InvestSmart® x Bursa Marketplace Fair 2026 at the Pavilion Bukit Jalil Exhibition Centre today, bringing together their flagship investor engagement platforms for the first time.
The two-day event was officiated by Treasury Secretary-General Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican.
SC Chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi said broader participation in the capital market was essential to building a financially resilient and inclusive society.
“For many Malaysians, concerns over fraud and limited access to reliable investment information remain barriers to investing. This first-ever collaboration aims to improve access to trusted financial information and digital investment tools, empowering more Malaysians to invest with confidence and take greater charge of their long-term financial well-being,” he said.
Faiz said the SC remained committed to strengthening investor education and financial literacy through strategic partnerships, including with the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) and the Financial Education Network (FEN).
From January to July 2026, the SC received 1,272 enquiries, or 70.6% of cases, from individuals seeking to verify investment opportunities before making any investments, compared with 530 complaints, or 29.4%, from scam victims.
The higher proportion of enquiries indicated greater awareness of the need to conduct due diligence before investing, the SC said.
Bursa Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Datuk Fad’l Mohamed said the growing participation of Malaysians, particularly younger investors, reflected increasing interest in building financial resilience.
“We are pleased to collaborate with the SC in bringing InvestSmart and Bursa Marketplace Fair together for the first time. The Malaysian capital market offers a wide range of opportunities for investors, and the growing participation of Malaysians, particularly younger investors, reflects a growing interest among Malaysians in building financial resilience.
“By bringing market experts, listed companies and financial institutions under one roof, we hope to make it easier for more Malaysians to explore investment opportunities, build their knowledge and take the next step from saving to investing. This supports our broader goal of fostering a vibrant and inclusive capital market that enables more Malaysians to participate in, and benefit from, the nation's economic growth.”
Retail investors accounted for between 27% and 33% of total trading activity over the past three years, further highlighting their growing role in Malaysia’s capital market.
Held under the theme “Smart Investing for Everyone”, the fair features up to 40 exhibitors, bringing together market experts, financial intermediaries, regulators, public-listed companies, crowdfunding platforms and industry practitioners.
The programme covers investment fundamentals, stock market investing, technical analysis, portfolio building, market outlooks, financial planning, investor protection and scam awareness.
A FEN Pavilion will highlight the National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2026 to 2030 and showcase financial literacy initiatives.
An Anti-Scam Zone featuring the NSRC, Association of Banks Malaysia (ABM) and Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM) will provide guidance on identifying common scam tactics, verifying investment opportunities and protecting against fraud.
Visitors can also receive free one-on-one financial planning consultations from licensed financial planners under the FinPlan4u® initiative.
The fair also features quizzes, free health screenings, prize giveaways and activities for children.
Admission is free, with members of the public encouraged to attend the two-day event to access investor education, financial planning and scam awareness activities. - September 5, 2026
