Kuala Lumpur, 8 November 2025 – Former Chief Justice of Malaysia, YABhg. Tun Dato’ Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat, underscored that good governance is the lifeblood of justice, integrity, and sustainability in her keynote address at the Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAICSA) 66th Anniversary Annual Dinner & Awards Night 2025, held under the theme “The Great Gatsby – A Night of Glitz & Glamour.”
Gracing the event as Guest of Honour, Tun Tengku Maimun commended MAICSA’s six-decade legacy of advancing governance excellence and professional integrity across Malaysia’s corporate and public sectors.
“Governance provides the structure and accountability needed to ensure ethical conduct, efficient operations, and sustainable long-term success,” she said, addressing an audience of business leaders, regulators, and governance professionals.
“While growth, profit, and prestige may indicate success in the short term, only good governance can ensure an organization’s long-term sustainability and resilience.”
Eight Pillars of Good Governance
Drawing from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) framework, Tun Tengku Maimun outlined eight fundamental principles that define good governance — participation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, consensus orientation, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness and efficiency, and accountability.
She emphasised that these principles form a holistic framework for ethical and effective governance, not only within corporations but also across public institutions.
“Good governance is measured through a combination of principles and indicators such as accountability, transparency, and responsiveness, alongside the rule of law and control of corruption. These values are deeply interconnected and must work together for society to flourish,” she noted.
Governance Professionals as the Conscience of Organizations
Reflecting on her experience in the judiciary, Tun Tengku Maimun described good governance as the lifeblood of justice, integrity and sustainability. She said that fairness, transparency and ethical leadership are not confined to the courts but are equally vital within corporate and administrative systems.
She observed that governance professionals often serve as the conscience of an organisation — the steady advisors who ensure accountability, prudence and ethical decision-making even under commercial pressure. Their role, she said, often determines whether an organisation thrives with integrity or collapses due to poor ethical foundations.
She also commended MAICSA for its steadfast commitment over 66 years in strengthening the governance profession and expanding the role of Chartered Secretaries from administrative custodians to strategic advisors and ethical stewards.
“Your commitment to education, training, and certification has fortified governance structures and fostered trust among investors both domestically and internationally,” she added.
Championing Transparency and Ethical Recordkeeping
The former Chief Justice emphasised the importance of maintaining accurate and transparent corporate records — including minutes, resolutions, statutory filings, and registers. She noted that such documentation forms the historical foundation of accountability within organisations.
In contrast, she cautioned that corrupted, missing, or falsified records often signal systemic governance failures and ethical breakdowns.
Adapting to Digital Governance and ESG
Looking ahead, Tun Tengku Maimun encouraged governance professionals to embrace the challenges of digital transformation, sustainability, and artificial intelligence while upholding the timeless values of integrity and sound judgment.
She praised MAICSA’s initiatives in digital governance, ESG integration, and AI-driven compliance as crucial steps in ensuring governance remains relevant and robust in an evolving business landscape.
“It is my sincere hope that you continue to serve as unwavering custodians of integrity — ensuring that good governance thrives throughout corporate Malaysia,” she concluded.
