Companies expected to resume live engagement and voting at all AGMs, regardless of format

Tan Boon Gin

Shareholders must be able to make decisions on an informed basis. This is true when making decisions on whether to buy, hold or sell securities, as well as when voting on corporate actions and other resolutions at shareholder general meetings.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual general meetings have become the norm following the introduction of temporary legislative relief. The virtual format of meetings has its benefits, not least enabling public health and safety. Yet it also has challenges. In recognition of these aspects, we issued a Regulator’s Column on Dec 16, 2021, to introduce practices aimed at ensuring shareholders remain well-informed even as general meetings go virtual.