2021-12-28
The Securities Commission Malaysia issued these FAQs to clarify amendments to the Rules on Take-overs, Mergers and Compulsory Acquisitions regarding director restrictions and offer announcements. The document specifies that restrictions against favourable deals in whitewash procedures apply to directors who served at the proposal stage for six months post-meeting, while excluding those appointed after the shareholder vote. It further details the requirements for pre-conditional possible and firm offer announcements, mandating prior SC consultation and consent for firm offers, and outlining conditions under which an offeror may withdraw from a transaction.
1 FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS RULES ON TAKE-OVERS, MERGERS AND COMPULSORY ACQUISITIONS (Issued: 28 December 2021) The following table of frequently-asked questions (FAQs) aims to provide clarification in relation to certain amendments made to the revised Rules on Take-overs, Mergers and Compulsory Acquisitions (Rules) issued on 28 December 2021: No. Amendments FAQs
2 In a possible offer announcement If a person wishes to include pre-conditions in a possible offer announcement under paragraph 9.07 of the Rules. In a firm offer announcement If an offeror wishes to include pre-conditions which must be satisfied prior to the service of the written notice of an offer under paragraph 9.10 of the Rules. 2. Is SC’s consent required for the inclusion of pre-conditions in such announcements? The SC must be consulted in advance if a person proposes to include preconditions in either such announcement. In addition, the SC’s consent must be obtained for the inclusion of pre-conditions in a firm offer announcement. 3. Is the potential offeror/offeror allowed not to proceed with a take-over offer after announcing a pre-conditional possible/firm offer announcement? Pre-conditional possible offer announcement In a pre-conditional possible offer announcement, the potential offeror is allowed not to proceed with a take-over offer provided that such announcement is made in accordance with subparagraph 9.07(2) of the Rules. In such situation, the potential offeror will be bound by the restrictions under subparagraphs 21.01(2) and (3) of the Rules. Pre-conditional firm offer announcement Where an offeror has made a pre-conditional firm offer announcement and the offeror has failed to meet such pre-conditions, causing the offer to lapse, an offeror will not be permitted to not proceed with the offer unless it has consulted the SC and the SC is satisfied that the offeror has taken reasonable efforts to fulfil the condition within the time period specified, and the
3 circumstances that give rose to the right to rely upon the pre-condition was material in the context of the proposed transaction. In this respect, the SC would generally consent to a pre-conditional firm offer announcement on the condition that its consent also be obtained before the offeror proposes to invoke any other pre-conditions. Once the offeror is allowed not to proceed with the take-over offer, the offeror will be bound by the restriction following a take-over offer under subparagraph 21.01(1) of the Rules. The offeror may only service written notice of a firm offer under paragraph 9.10 of the Rules upon fulfilment of all of the pre-conditions to such offer.