The Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAICSA), was founded in 1959 as an affiliate body to The Chartered Governance Institute (CGI) (formerly known as The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators), and is now one of the Divisions of CGI. Currently, MAICSA has more than 4,200 members (comprising Fellows and Associates) and Graduates, 1,800 students and 600 Affiliates on its register.
The Chartered Governance Institute (CGI), is the leading professional body for Chartered Secretaries and Chartered Governance Professionals in the United Kingdom and throughout the world. Formed in 1891, the Institute today has more than 29,000 members in over 80 countries.
The name change to The Chartered Governance Institute from Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators was formalized on 16 September 2019 and, subsequently its new corporate identity was also launched. The new name positions The Chartered Governance Institute as the qualifying and membership organisation for anyone involved in governance and is the only international organisation that can offer a qualification that empowers a person with skills that transcend borders.
The Government has prescribed MAICSA as an Approved Body in the Gazette (Fourth Schedule, Section 235(2)(a) of the Companies Act 2016), which means that Fellow and Associate members of MAICSA are qualified to act as named company secretaries upon application to the Companies Commission of Malaysia for a Practising Certificate under Section 241 of the Companies Act 2016. Fellow and Associate members of MAICSA, with more than five years' practical tax experience, either in the public or private sector, are also eligible to apply to become tax agents under Section 153(3) of the Income Tax, 1967. The ICSA qualification is recognised as equivalent to an Honours Degree by the Public Services Department.
MAICSA is also a founder member of Corporate Secretaries International Association Limited (CSIA). CSIA, an international federation of governance professional bodies for corporate secretaries and governance professionals, is dedicated to developing and growing the study and practice of corporate secretaryship, to improve professional standards and the quality of governance practice, and organisational performance.
In tandem with its mission of developing good corporate professionals, MAICSA is committed to maintaining the highest standard of integrity and ethical values within the corporate secretarial profession. MAICSA also acts as a change catalyst in the corporate arena, participating actively in the enhancement of corporate governance.