Kuala Lumpur, 2 October 2025 – At the MAICSA (Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) Conference 2025 themed “Future Governance”, industry leaders urged company secretaries and governance professionals to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) in routine tasks and reposition themselves as high-value advisors rather than mere administrators.
Commerce.Asia founder Ganesh Kumar Bangah addressed the crowd of over 1,200 delegates, observing that while AI can automate document generation and streamline filings, it cannot replace human judgment, context, and accountability. “Your value is no longer in compliance for its own sake, but in advising companies on how to apply governance to grow responsibly,” he told attendees.
During the session titled “Digital Governance: Balancing Innovation, Compliance and Accountability in a Tech-Driven Economy,” MAICSA CEO Justin J Anthony emphasized that governance professionals must see themselves as architects of resilience in a digital landscape, moving beyond minute-taking to shaping organizational strategy. “Future governance is about enabling innovation while protecting trust,” he said.
The speakers highlighted the accelerating role of the digital economy in Malaysia, noting that in 2025, it accounted for 25.5 percent of GDP, with a target to reach 30 percent by 2030. They stressed that compliance roles will increasingly be subsumed by automation, making the transition to advisory and strategic responsibilities crucial for survival.
The panel cautioned that poor governance can derail funding efforts for startups. Ganesh warned that failure to maintain financial compliance or investor agreements could undermine capital raising. Justin added that strong governance can open doors, to investors, partnerships, and global markets.
In closing, Justin reminded delegates that their mission is not merely to adapt, but to lead change. By combining technological literacy with governance expertise, company secretaries can elevate both themselves and the organizations they serve to meet the demands of a fast-evolving digital economy.
Investor Insights for Asia
For investors tracking governance, tech, and corporate transformation across Southeast Asia, MAICSA’s message underscores several critical shifts:
- Governance moving upstream: Roles long seen as administrative are evolving toward strategic advisory. Firms that strengthen capabilities in AI integration, compliance strategy, and digital oversight may gain competitive advantage.
- Demand for tech-savvy governance partners: As corporates adopt AI, startups, and digital transformation, they require governance professionals who understand both regulatory nuance and technological context. This may create demand for specialized service firms and consultancies in Southeast Asia.
- Capital allocation more disciplined: Investors may reward companies with strong governance and technological adaptability. Poor governance in the AI era could become a red flag faster than before.
- Regulation and compliance risks: As more routine tasks are automated, enforcement and oversight may shift to errors in AI outputs or misuse of algorithmic decisions. Governance teams must build guardrails and auditability.
