Malaysia adopted the ISSB Standards through its National Sustainability Reporting Framework, launched in September 2024. There is no separate Malaysian standard and no local changes to the text of IFRS S1 or IFRS S2. What distinguishes Malaysia is the layer of additional, time-limited transition reliefs the framework provides on top of those already built into the standards. The IFRS Foundation classifies Malaysia as adopting the ISSB Standards with limited transition.
This masterclass gives you a practical, expert-led examination of the National Sustainability Reporting Framework. It covers Malaysia's path to adoption, the roles of the Advisory Committee on Sustainability Reporting, the Securities Commission, Bursa Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia and the Companies Commission, the three-group adoption timeline, and each of the additional reliefs the framework provides.
The session focuses on applied learning throughout. It works through the climate-first sequence, the principal business segments focus and the extended Scope 3 deferral, including the business travel and employee commuting exception that carries over from Bursa Malaysia's existing rules. It also covers how Bursa's Sustainability Statement regime and Bank Negara Malaysia's climate risk expectations continue to operate alongside the standards, and what preparers face as the relief windows close.
Key drivers behind the growing importance of this skill include Group 1 entities publishing their first framework-aligned disclosures during 2026, the substantial step up facing those entities in financial year 2027 as their reliefs expire, the intention to mandate reasonable assurance on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from 2027, and the emissions data requests now moving through Malaysian value chains.
This masterclass assumes prior knowledge of IFRS S1 and IFRS S2. It is designed as an add-on for learners who have already completed the ISSB Pro course series.
The masterclass is delivered as a recorded session, approximately one hour long, and can be completed at your own pace.
Summary
By the end of this masterclass, learners will be able to:
Malaysia's Adoption Model
- Understand how the National Sustainability Reporting Framework adopts IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 as issued, without local amendment
- Identify the roles of the ACSR, the Securities Commission, Bursa Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia and the Companies Commission
- Understand what adoption with limited transition means in practice
The Transition Reliefs and Adoption Timeline
- Determine reporting obligations across Groups 1, 2 and 3, including large non-listed companies
- Apply the climate-first sequence, the principal business segments focus and the extended Scope 3 deferral
- Understand the proportionality mechanisms available to large non-listed companies within wider groups
Existing Frameworks, Assurance and Practical Preparation
- Understand how Bursa Malaysia's Sustainability Statement regime and Bank Negara Malaysia's climate risk expectations operate alongside the ISSB Standards
- Understand Malaysia's rising assurance requirements and the intended move to reasonable assurance on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions
- Apply the practical steps needed for data infrastructure, submission through the Centralised Sustainability Intelligence platform, and assurance readiness
Who this is for
Designed for professionals preparing, advising on, or assuring Malaysian sustainability disclosures:
Sustainability and ESG professionals
Sustainability consultants and advisors
Finance and accounting professionals
Corporate reporting teams
Risk and compliance professionals
Internal and external auditors
