The enhancement of the electronic payment framework was done on the back of encouraging response to the existing facility. Currently 80% of the total dividend payments received by securities holders are made via eDividend.

Dato' Tajuddin Atan, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia, expressed the significance of the initiative introduced by Bursa Malaysia Depository Sdn Bhd (Bursa Depository) which will promote greater efficiency in distributing cash payments arising from corporate actions by listed issuers:

"The expansion of the electronic payment to other types of cash payments by listed issuers is aligned to our national agenda of migrating to electronic payment systems that expedite the crediting of cash payments for corporateexercises and reducing the cost associated with the issuance of cheques by listed issuers."

Under the eCash Payment framework, listed issuers are now required to pay specified types of cash payments as determined by the Exchange, by directly crediting the same into the bank accounts of their securities holders who have provided their bank account details to Bursa Depository. Such cash payments include payments of interest or profit rates on debt securities or sukuk, income distribution by Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) or Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) and capital repayment. In addition, Bursa Depository may also facilitate listed issuers who wish to voluntarily pay other types of cash payments electronically to their securities holders.

The relevant rule changes to the Listing Requirements and the Rules of Bursa Depository together with the respective Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on this initiative have been made available for reference at the Exchange's website, www.bursamalaysia.com.

Securities holders that have not provided their bank account details to Bursa Depository to receive their cash payments by way of direct credit into their bank accounts are encouraged to do so through their stockbrokers and be eligible to enjoy the administration fee waiver accorded by Bursa Malaysia, valid until 18 April 2013.

Investors can obtain the eDividend form and access more information on the process for providing bank account details from Bursa Malaysia's website.