Decoding Malaysia's New Social Exchange Guidelines

A safer way to donate to social impact projects?

The Securities Commission of Malaysia has recently issued new guidelines for Social Exchange Platforms, creating a regulated avenue for channeling philanthropic capital to social impact projects. But what exactly are these platforms, and what do the new rules mean for non-profits and donors?

Lawyers Ong Johnson and Lo Khai Yi from Halim Hong & Quek join us to break down this brand-new framework. They explain the stringent requirements for operators, the rules for listed projects (like the 80/20 fund utilisation cap), and the robust accountability mechanisms designed to build donor trust.

We discuss:

• What a Social Exchange Platform is and how it differs from ECF or P2P.

• The stringent requirements for operators, including a RM5 million capital floor.

• The key criteria for projects, including the 80/20 fund utilisation rule.

• The new accountability mechanisms, from impact reports to mandatory trust accounts.

• How this framework benefits both individual donors and corporate CSR programs.

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