Past version: Effective from 01 Jan 2005 to 01 May 2012
Principle:
14 Companies should engage in regular, effective and fair communication with shareholders.
Guidelines:
14.1 Companies should regularly convey pertinent information, gather views or inputs, and address shareholders' concerns. In disclosing information, companies should be as descriptive, detailed and forthcoming as possible, and avoid boilerplate disclosures.
14.2 Companies should disclose information on a timely basis. Where there is inadvertent disclosure made to a selected group, companies should make the same disclosure publicly to all others as soon as practicable. This could be through the use of modern technology such as Internet websites.
Principle:
15 Companies should encourage greater shareholder participation at AGMs, and allow shareholders the opportunity to communicate their views on various matters affecting the company.
Guidelines:
15.1 Shareholders should have the opportunity to participate effectively and to vote in AGMs. They should be allowed to vote in person or in absentia. In this regard, companies are encouraged to make the appropriate provisions in their Articles of Association to allow for absentia voting methods such as by mail, email, fax, etc, if the shareholders so consent.
15.2 There should be separate resolutions at general meetings on each substantially separate issue. Companies should avoid "bundling" resolutions unless the resolutions are interdependent and linked so as to form one significant proposal. Where resolutions are "bundled", companies should explain the reasons and material implications.
15.3 The chairpersons of the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration committees should be present and available to address questions at general meetings. The external auditors should also be present to address shareholders' queries about the conduct of audit and the preparation and content of the auditors' report.
Commentaries:
15.4 Companies are encouraged to amend their Articles of Association to avoid imposing a limit on the number of proxies for nominee companies so that shareholders who hold shares through nominees can attend AGMs as proxies.
15.5 Companies are encouraged to prepare minutes or notes of general meetings, which include substantial comments or queries from shareholders and responses from the Board and management, and to make these minutes or notes available to shareholders upon their requests.