Categories: SpeechesPublished On: 26/05/2025
  • Yang Berhormat Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Finance II
  • Mr Jean Bouquot, President, International Federation of Accountants
  • Distinguished Speakers, Guests and Delegates
  • Partners and Supporters
  • Members of the Media
  • Council members
  • Ladies and Gentlemen

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  • Good afternoon and welcome to the MIA International Accountants Conference 2025.
  • Firstly, on behalf of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), thank you for taking time off from your busy schedule to be at this Conference today. Your presence affirms the Conference’s prestige as a premier accountancy event and one of the largest gatherings of accountants in the region.
  • This year marks a special milestone—the 40th anniversary of the MIA International Accountants Conference. Over the past four decades, the MIA Conference has grown into a key platform for professional development, thought leadership, and regional collaboration for the profession. We thank all stakeholders who have contributed to its continued growth and relevance in our pursuit of a future ready accountancy profession.
  • This year, the Conference has attracted close to 3,800 delegates attending both physically and virtually. I personally would like to thank Ministries, State Governments and statutory bodies/Institutions and corporate organisations – namely Jabatan Akauntan Negara Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), BP Asia Service Centre Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Petroliam Nasional Berhad, and Sime Darby Auto Bavaria Sdn Bhd – for your strong support, especially in sending large delegations. We greatly appreciate your trust and continued engagement with MIA and this Conference.
  • The theme for this year’s Conference is “Collaborative Leadership for a Sustainable Future”. As Malaysia drives sustainable development, effective collaboration is critical. We work closely with stakeholders from various sectors to advocate sustainability to safeguard the public interest, ensure the profession’s future relevance, and support Malaysia’s transition to a greener economy. At the end of 2022, we introduced the MIA Sustainability Agenda and launched the MIA Sustainability Blueprint for the Accountancy Profession at the MIA Conference 2024. 
  • Then in January 2025, the MIA Council approved the MIA Sustainability Roadmap to implement the Blueprint, comprising 169 initiatives over a five-year period and involving 16 committees. These initiatives include facilitating the implementation of the National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF) through capacity building, encouraging technology adoption for sustainability reporting, and implementing ISSA 5000 for sustainability assurance.
  • With regards to regional cooperation, we are also pleased that the MIA International Accountants Conference 2025 coincides with the ASEAN Summit 2025. Accountants are uniquely positioned to support trust, transparency, and accountability across ASEAN.
  • As the national body responsible for the regulation and development of the accountancy profession, functioning under the purview of the Ministry of Finance, MIA encourages accountants to take the lead in fostering collaborative relationships across sectors and borders. By championing ethical leadership and strong governance, we can help build a more sustainable and inclusive future.
  • To enhance future relevance, accountancy professionals must continue to upskill in key emerging areas such as ESG, sustainability and digital transformation. We must be adaptable, resilient and ready to deliver both financial and non-financial insights to support organisations in navigating uncertainty, locally, regionally and globally.
  • In all that we do, accountancy professionals shall uphold the profession’s code of ethics to champion accountability, integrity and trust for good governance, safeguarding public interest.
  • To continuously support the development of accountancy professionals, the Institute delivers a wide range of benefits to MIA’s growing membership, which has crossed 40,000. In this financial year, we organised more than 60 complimentary programmes and webinars, benefiting more than 10,000 members as well as 3 Town Halls which drew more than 4,000 members nationwide, including members overseas.
  • MIA also introduced a special RM100 discount scheme for CPD programmes which resulted in total savings of about RM104,00 for more than 1,000 members. In addition, MIA successfully secured a significant grant from the Capital Market Development Fund (CMDF), enabling us to offer subsidies totalling RM122,290 to close to 300 members under the CMDF scheme this financial year.
  • Interestingly, in the past 2 years, members saved over RM5 million from exclusive discounts on cars such as BMW, Mercedes and BYD under the members benefits and privileges.
  • But that’s not all. I am pleased to share that, as part of our wellness initiatives, MIA has partnered with Naluri to provide digital wellness tools, professional coaches and counselling for a healthier and future-ready you.
  • Ladies and gentlemen, over the course of these two days, you can expect to hear valuable insights from our guests of honour and expert speakers relating to sustainability and future fitness of the profession.
  • Shortly, our guest of honour YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Finance II, will deliver the keynote address and officiate the launch of the Conference. YB Minister will share the key areas whereby the profession can collaborate and contribute to sustainable business and nation building. Thank you, YB, for your presence today and for the Government’s continuing support and recognition of MIA and the profession’s contributions.
  • Tomorrow, our special guest Mr Jean Bouquot, President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), will headline a special session focusing on the importance of collaborative leadership in future-proofing the profession. Thank you, Jean, for being with us and sharing your global insights.
  • Ladies and gentlemen, this Conference is truly a collaborative effort. The MIA team, together with our strategic collaborators, has prepared a diverse two-day programme to inspire your professional and personal growth in a new and dynamic era.
  • As I wrap up, I would like to once again thank our honourable guests – YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah and Jean, our distinguished speakers, our Diamond partner – AICPA & CIMA, Titanium partner – Intuit, Regulatory Technology partner – Ingenique, Platinum partners – ACCA, Censof & RDS for your esteemed partnership and everyone who collaborated with us to make this Conference a success.
  • Finally, I would like to thank our delegates once again for attending this Conference. MIA hopes that this Conference will spark new ideas and help equip you to become future-fit professionals. Let us remain steadfast in upholding our code of ethics and our responsibility to the public and national interest. In closing, I wish you all the best and do enjoy the Conference.