In Singapore, a company can make dividend payments only if it is making a profit. Dividend payments are recommended by directors of a company and will be voted on and approved by shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Once these dividend payments receive the required number of votes and are approved, they are called final dividends. Once this final dividend is declared, the company owes the shareholders this payout in the form of a debt. This debt is to be paid immediately unless otherwise states. Some companies may state that dividends be paid at a later date. The dividend payment cannot be withdrawn or altered.