Over a third of investors face issues exercising their rights: Poll

More than a third of retail investors, or 37 per cent, experienced difficulties in exercising their rights, according to a new survey out on June 25.

- Sue-Ann Tan

The survey, which was commissioned in 2024 by the Securities Investors Association (Singapore), or Sias, included the responses of 197 people in a bid to track the progress of investors' rights in Singapore and see what more needs to be done.

Sias is the main investor-led organisation dedicated to investor education and the advocacy of retail investors' rights. It engages companies and regulators to improve corporate governance and transparency.

The survey was also conducted with support from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).

Of the respondents who said they faced difficulties in exercising their rights, 41 per cent felt their voices were not heard enough when companies made decisions.

Another 24 per cent said they met challenges in accessing company financial reports and disclosures.

About 22 per cent also reported encountering difficulties when voting at shareholder meetings because of unclear procedures and a lack of information.

Lastly, 13 per cent said they experienced delays in receiving dividends and other things that shareholders are entitled to.

SIT associate professor of accounting Kevin Ow Yong said: "From an accounting and finance perspective, it is imperative that there are adequate safeguards to protect investors so as to improve and maintain investor confidence towards Singapore Exchange-listed companies."